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Zanu-PF secretary-general died at Murambi Gardens Private Hospital in Mutare Tuesday afternoon after a long battle with prostrate cancer.
Cde Tekere, whose Chimurenga name was “Two-boy”, is survived by his wife Pamela and a daughter.

He had been in and out of hospital since last year.

Family spokesperson Dr Ibbo Mandaza – who was at the hospital supervising the conveyance of the body to a funeral parlour – said the veteran nationalist’s condition deteriorated and was admitted at the hospital last Tuesday.

WHEN HE WAS STILL ALIVE

• Tekere recuperating in hospital
• Tekere hails Masawi’s war role
  

Cde Tekere was discharged from hospital on Saturday, but was readmitted on Monday after his condition further deteriorated.
“Cde Tekere died at 1:30pm today (yesterday). He was unwell for some time and I even took him to Harare last September where he spent some time in hospital.

“He was in Harare again last month for check-up and treatment.
“No funeral arrangements have been put in place so far as we are still informing other relatives and friends.

“Mourners are gathered at his House Number 9, Alexander Road, Bordervale in Mutare,” said Dr Mandaza.
In 1957, Cde Tekere was detained for poli-tical activism at Gonakudzingwa.

He was a founder member of the National Democratic Party and joined Zapu in 1961 after the NDP was banned.
Cde Tekere was instrumental in forming Zanu in 1963.

In 1964, he was arrested for political activism and spent 10 years at Wha Wha Prison together with President Mugabe.
Upon their release in 1975, they crossed the Eastern Highlands border in Mutare through the mountains on foot, following the Gairezi River trail to Seguranza Military Camp in Mozambique, to mastermind and kick-start the guerilla warfare that ushered in Zimbabwe’s Independence.

They were assisted by the late national hero Chief Rekayi Tangwena.
During the liberation war, Cde Tekere served on the Zanu High Command, Dare reChimurenga.
By 1977, Cde Tekere had risen to the post of secretary-general.

He attended the Lancaster House Confe-rence and after independence in 1980 he was appointed Minister of Manpower Planning and Development.
As Zanu-PF secretary-general, he personally invited the late legendary reggae star Bob Marley to perform at Rufaro Stadium at the Independence celebrations in 1980.

More than 100 000 Zimbabweans atte-nded the concert and Marley performed the song “Zimbabwe” which was well recei- ved.
Marley, whose music inspired the liberation fighters during the armed struggle, also stayed with Cde Tekere during the tour.

Cde Tekere, however, always courted controversy and was tried at the High Court in 1980 on allegations of killing a white farm manager Gerald Adams.
He was acquitted of the murder charge after the assessors overuled the judge saying he was acting in the interests of State security.

He was relieved of his duties as a minister after making a series of comments against Government policies in 1981, but retained his post of Zanu-PF secretary-general.
He was later to serve as Zanu-PF’s Manicaland provincial chairman until 1987.

Cde Tekere was expelled from Zanu-PF in 1988 and later formed the Zimbabwe Unity Movement.
He stood against President Mugabe in the 1990 Presidential elections, but lost.

He then disappeared from the limelight and re-emerged in 2005 when he indicated his desire to contest the Senate elections on a Zanu-PF ticket before he was readmitted into Zanu-PF in 2006.
However, the following year a Zanu-PF national disciplinary committee recommended that he be fired from the party.

This followed a concoction of unsubstantiated claims and lies relating to the liberation struggle in his autobiography titled “A lifetime of Struggle.”
In 2008, he declared his support for independent presidential aspirant Simba Makoni following his dismissal from Zanu-PF.

In 2009, he was guest of honour at the 10th anniversary celebrations of MDC-T in Mutare.

. . . contribution to Zim’s liberation struggle hailed
THE late Cde Edgar Zivanai Tekere has been described as a nationalist whose contribution to the struggle “deserves recognition.”
Zanu-PF national secretary for administration Cde Didymus Mutasa, who worked with Cde Tekere during and after the liberation struggle, described his death as a loss to the nation.

“Although Cde Tekere was born in Manicaland, his death is a loss to the whole country. We grew up together in the party and we also fought the liberation struggle together.
“We have lost a gallant son of the soil who sacrificed a lot for the liberation of this country.

“Although at one time he was fired from the party, he was readmitted following recommendations from the provincial leadership,” said Cde Mutasa.
Cde Tekere was born in 1937.
Cde Mutasa said it was up to the Zanu-PF Manicaland leadership to decide and make recommendations to the Politburo for consideration on what honour to bestow upon Cde Tekere.

“It is too early for us to say much about his hero status because that will come from the Manicaland provincial leadership after consulting with his family.
“We will wait for what they will say and everything will be announced in due course,” said Cde Mutasa.

Zanu-PF national chairman, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo, yesterday said the party had been saddened by Cde Tekere’s death.
“As Zanu-PF, we are saddened to hear of Cde Tekere’s untimely demise. He played a pivotal role in the struggle to liberate the country. No one can deny him this fact.

“The revolution of course demands consistency and persistence in managing the affairs and destiny of the people. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” Cde Khaya Moyo said.
Zanu-PF national spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo described Cde Tekere as a dedicated fighter.

“The party has not made a decision, but he was a dedicated fighter. I first met him in 1964 at the Gweru Party Congress (Zanu then) and then again in 1974.
“We worked together from 1977 until Zimbabwe was liberated in 1980. He was a real patriotic man and worked hard for Zimbabwe’s liberation.

“It was unfortunate that he left us to form Zimbabwe Unity Movement, but such things happen. That incident robbed us of a man we were with in the trenches,” he said.
Added Cde Gumbo: “When we measure an individual, we must take all the factors from birth to death. Some of us believe he contributed immensely to the struggle for Zimbabwe and deserves recognition in the annals of the liberation struggle.”

Manicaland provincial chairman, Cde Mike Madiro, could not be reached for comment.
Cde Tekere began his political career when he joined the African Youth League in the 1950s.