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Nqobile Tshili Bulawayo Bureau

The Zanu PF leadership here has recommended that one of the pioneers of the liberation war, Cde Clark Mpofu, who died on Saturday, be declared a national hero.

He was 81.

Cde Mpofu succumbed to cardiac arrest at Mpilo Central Hospital where he had been hospitalised.

Zanu PF Politburo member Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube said Cde Mpofu was among the first liberation war fighters to take up arms.

He said he trained in sabotage activities in China before returning to the country where with colleagues, he bombed the Tredgold Building and Bulawayo Post Office, when most blacks could not even imagine standing up to the settler colonial regime.

“Due to his contributions, we made a collective decision that he be declared a national hero and we have already submitted our recommendation to the party’s national leadership. He was once detained with President Mnangagwa at Khami Prison and was only released from jail after Independence due to his acts of sabotage. He remained committed to the people’s cause and we firmly believe he deserves a national hero status,” he said.

His son, Nhlanhla, said while the family is aware of his political activities, they mainly related to him as the family’s head.

“To us he was really a pillar of strength. He really motivated us to be better people and encouraged that we pursue education as a source of empowerment. He also taught us a lot about the need to prepare for retirement and having a rural home. We might know about his political activities but to us he was really a father. His death is a serious blow for us,” said Nhlanhla.

He said Cde Mpofu is survived by a wife, seven children, 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.