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was buried at Greendale Cemetery in Harare yesterday.
Mrs Kachingwe (76), who became the first black woman to enrol at the University Col­lege of Rhodesia, now the University of Zim­babwe, succumbed to a heart ailment at her Greendale home last Thursday and was declared a liberation war heroine.
The burial was attended by hundreds of people from all walks of life including Deputy Prime Minister Professor Arthur Mutambara, Malawi’s ambassador to Zimbabwe Dr Richard Mpoya, Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisa­tion and Irrigation Development Dr Joseph Made and Zanu-PF’s secretary for Women’s League Cde Oppah Muchinguri.
“Sarah inspired many with her exemplary leadership skills especially in the education sec­tor where she is an icon and hero since she became the first black woman to attain univer­sity education at the UZ,” said Prof Mutam-bara
“After achieving tertiary education, she proved the necessity for women to be sent to school and even taught many notable figures about racial prejudices by the white regimes.”
DPM Mutambara described Mrs Kachingwe as a heroine who played a vital role in conscien­tising Zimbabweans on the brutality of the Ian Smith regime.
“She was born a leader who championed regional integration. This is further proven by her marriage to a Malawian national and work­ing for Zimbabwe while staying there,” he said.
DPM Mutambara said it was fitting that Mrs Kachingwe was declared a liberation war hero­ine.
“A country cannot be liberated with a gun alone, in Sarah’s case she taught many notable figures and advised people to join the libera­tion war after having a first hand experience while staying alone in a hostel at UZ,” he said.
DPM Mutambara handed over the national flag to Mrs Kachingwe’s husband Joe to sym­bolise her heroine status.
Cde Muchinguri described Mrs Kachingwe as goal achiever who was vital both for the country and the party.
“She was a focused leader who never despaired and achieved all targets despite fac­ing many obstacles,” she said.
“She had Zimbabwe at heart and it was proven when she assisted liberation war fight­ers while she was staying in Malawi and the unwavering support she gave Zanu-PF.
“After independence, she helped in redress­ing imbalances, advocated uniform salaries and crafting of laws that empower women. She also took a post in the government at a time when whites deserted the country.”
Cde Muchinguri said Mrs Kachingwe cham­pioned the majority’s cause, especially in the education sector.
She said Mrs Kachingwe was a member of the national executive hence the party and the country lost a pillar of strength.
Family spokesperson, Mr Chris Mbanga, said the family has lost a mother and role model.  He thanked the Government for the support given to the family during the funeral and for declaring Mrs Kachingwe a liberation war heroine.
Mrs Kachingwe was born in the Tandi area of Rusape in 1936 and was the fourth born in a family of eight.
She went to Dowa and St Annes Goto Pri­mary Schools before attending Goromonzi High School.
She is survived by her husband Joe, three children and five grandchildren.