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The Herald, 13 April 2016

HISTORY was made yesterday when two heroines hailing from the same district of Mutasa in Manicaland, who both dedicated their lives to the cause of Zimbabwe and who died last Friday, were buried side-by-side in an emotional ceremony before a capacity crowd at the National Heroes Acre in Harare.

A crowd reminiscent of the burial of Father Zimbabwe, Dr Joshua Nkomo, packed the grandstand and grounds of the sacred shrine to give the heroines, Cdes Victoria Chitepo and Vivian Mwashita, a befitting send-off.

Earlier, those who thronged Stodart Hall in Mbare for body viewing were treated to a rare occasion of celebrating the lives of the two gallant daughters of the soil. Some banners were inscribed “Philanthropist and educationist” in tribute to Cde Chitepo. Another banner screamed “Graceful peacemaker; full of love and humility”. A banner bearing Cde Mwashita’s picture read: “Makatakura makasha tikakunda mabhunu”.

The inscription resonated well with Cde Mwashita’s nom de guerre Cde Kundai Mabhunu.

Mr Kule Zvenyika Chitepo, son of Cde Chitepo was first to speak on behalf of the Chitepo family. He offered condolences to the Mwashita family. He described his mother as a dedicated nationalist who never looked back in her career as a politician and a person who did a lot for the country as a minister and various portfolios in Government and Zanu-PF.

“Her humility, commitment, love and her sacrifice for what is good and what is right represent resilience personified through Amai Chitepo,” he said.

He thanked Zanu-PF for the support as well as Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander Constantine Chiwenga for ensuring that his mother’s last wish to bid farewell to the people of her village in Bonda came true.

Ms Nyasha Mwashita said her mother was humble and down to earth.

“She taught us to be strong, courageous and that all things are possible. She was a pillar of strength in the family,” she said.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

Just like 2016, there is a strong likelihood that the burial of Cdes Malianga and Gwaradzimba will unite the nation.

Both Cdes Chitepo and Mwashita hailed from Manicaland Province, one by virtue of marriage and the other as a daughter born in the Eastern Highlands. They represented mothers and daughters of the struggle.

Cdes Malianga and Gwaradzimba also hailed from Manicaland by virtue of birth and marriage. They also represent generations of fathers and daughters of the struggle. Like Cde Chitepo, Cde Malianga prepared the ground and passed on the baton to the second generation.

There are parallels between April 2016 and January 2021. The heroes’ timelines is the day they departed. During that week in April 2016, there were four deaths in the ruling party, including Cdes Alexander “Gora” Kanengoni and Chinyani Chinamano, son to national hero and heroine Josiah and Ruth Chinamano. Four notable leaders in the ruling party also died last week.