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(Cde Destroyer Ndlovu)
(1960-2021)

The nation grieves the loss of Dr Joel Biggie Matiza, a dedicated son of the soil, distinguished architect, cadre of the liberation struggle, Zanu PF Mashonaland East Provincial Chairman and Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development who worked tirelessly to transform infrastructure in the country in line with vision 2030. Dr Matiza passed away on Friday 22 January 2021 at St Anne’s Hospital in Harare after succumbing to Covid 19 related complications.

He was 60.

EARLY LIFE
Dr Joel Biggie Matiza whose nom de guerre was Cde Destroyer Ndlovu, was born on August 17, 1960, in Murewa, Mashonaland East Province, to Joel and Joyce Matiza. He was the first born in a family of six children (four boys and two girls), his siblings being: Tendai and Zviko (twins) Sheila, Zivai and Tambirai. He enrolled for primary education at several primary schools, namely: Nyamutumbu and Kambarami (both in Murewa District) and Monte Casino Mission (Macheke) between 1966 and 1972. He then went to Murewa High School for secondary education in 1973 finishing Ordinary level in 1975.

Owing to the heightening of the liberation struggle, particularly in liberated zones, the time that young Joel did secondary education saw a marked rise in black consciousness amongst black youths. Murewa Mission was no exception and in no time Joel was gripped with a fervour to fight the oppressive Smith regime. To break into politics, Joel needed a mentor. Fortunately, he had a politically active uncle by the name Mangwende who was a member of the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (Zapu) and had links to its leader, the late national hero Cde Joshua Nkomo. After several interactions with his uncle, Cde Matiza abandoned the option of proceeding to Advanced level and took a bold decision to go and join the struggle for liberation.

PRE-INDEPENDENCE POLITICAL LIFE
It was in 1975 that Cde Matiza skipped the border into Zambia via Botswana in the company of other new recruits. On arrival, they were deployed to various Zipra training camps for military training. The following year, Rhodesian forces started to conduct random military incursions into neighbouring Mozambique and Zambia targeting Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (Zanla) and Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (Zipra) refugee camps and military bases in a bid to degrade and cripple the momentum of the armed struggle. In 1978, the Rhodesian forces raided Freedom Camp in Zambia where Cde Matiza was based. The Rhodesian forces machine-gunned hundreds of Zipra Comrades at the camp and dropped napalm bombs killing over 200 freedom fighters. Although Cde Matiza survived the attack, he suffered body injuries.

Due to the severity of his injuries, he was taken to Lusaka for medical treatment and was admitted in hospital for a long period. After his discharge from hospital, Cde Matiza was identified as one of the young intellects in the ranks qualifying for educational courses offered by friendly nations that were supporting the liberation struggle. Later that same year, he was sent to Nigeria to pursue further education with the instruction to learn and acquire skills that would be useful in independent Zimbabwe. As it were, Independence would beckon and soon became a reality before he completed his studies.

POST INDEPENDENCE POLITICAL LIFE
At Independence Cde Matiza remained in Nigeria pursuing his studies. In 1984, he graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) at Amadu Bello University. The following year, he enrolled for a Masters degree in Architecture at the same university and graduated in 1986. Later that year, Cde Matiza returned home armed with requisite qualifications to meaning contribute to the development of his country.

His search for a starting point saw him joining a private architectural firm but did not work there for long. His belief in black empowerment could not let him carry-on serving under white management. He thus left the firm with the intent to establish his own enterprise. This required time and planning but he did not give up. A few years later, and before his vision could materialise, Cde Matiza got employed by the Urban Development Corporation, a Government parastatal, before forming and registering his own architectural firm, called Mutupa Matiza Architects. In 1990, he successfully registered with the Architects Council of Zimbabwe (ACZ) and subsequently became a member of the Institute of Architects of Zimbabwe (MIAZ).

Whilst practicing in his field of specialisation, Cde Matiza continued to be active in politics. In 1997, he was elected chairman of the Zanu PF Musami District. He served in this portfolio with dedication and loyalty and in 1999, he was rewarded by being elected Member of Parliament for Murewa South constituency in a by-election. He became one of the youngest MPs during that time. The following year, he was appointed Zanu PF provincial Secretary for Finance. In 2001, he attained a Masters of Science in Strategic Management with the University of Derby that is in the United Kingdom. In 2005, Cde Matiza was re-elected Member of Parliament for Murewa South constituency and subsequently appointed Deputy Minister for Rural Housing and Social Amenities. He served under His Excellency the President Cde E.D. Mnangagwa who was then Minister of Rural Housing and Social Amenities.

Cde Matiza was dedicated and committed to the development of his constituency. He was known for chipping-in with personal resources to help others to start income generating projects. The leadership he displayed in the constituency saw him become one of the longest serving MPs in Murewa. Some of the projects he spearheaded in his constituency include the construction of Nyamita and Takunda Primary Schools in Macheke, Dombwe Clinic and Jekwa Hall. He also drilled boreholes in wards 17, 18 and Macheke Urban.

In 2008, he was re-elected Member of Parliament for Murewa South constituency and subsequently appointed Deputy Minister for Local Government, Public Works and National Housing. Owing to his hard work and loyalty to the party, Cde Matiza was appointed member of the Zanu PF Central Committee representing Murewa District, Mashonaland East Province. He served in these portfolios until 2013. Owing to his exemplary and visionary leadership, in 2014 Cde Matiza was appointed Minister of State for Provincial Affairs for Mashonaland East. The following year, he was elected chairman of Mashonaland East Province. In 2018, Cde Matiza was appointed Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development.

The zenith of Dr Matiza’s contribution to the development of Zimbabwe came with his appointment as the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development as he initiated various infrastructural projects. His enterprising and resourceful personality saw him implementing robust infrastructural projects that changed Zimbabwe’s landscape for the better. Some of the projects have since been completed and some are still work in progress. These among others include:
• Awarding of infrastructural projects to local companies and the use of local resources, thereby building local capacity, creating jobs for the youth and opening up business opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
• Contributing to the architectural designs of the new Parliament of Zimbabwe building.
• Widening and upgrading sections of the Beitbridge-Masvingo-Harare highway to meet regional standards in preparation for its dualisation.
• Expansion and rehabilitation of Robert Mugabe International Airport.
• Vic Falls International Airport architectural designs and overseeing its successful completion.
• Ngundu-Tanganda Road rehabilitation.
• Rehabilitation of Birchenough-Chipinge-Mt Selinda Road.
• Reconstruction of the Cyclone Idai damaged roads and bridges in Chimanimani.
• Expansion and tarring of Mahuwe-Kanyemba road.
• Upgrading and modernising Beitbridge Border Post.
• Expansion and tarring of the Karoi-Binga road
In December, 2020, Cde Matiza attained a Doctorate in Business Administration with Chinhoyi University of Technology.

HERO’S STATUS
In a condolence message to the family and the nation, His Excellency the President, DR E.D. Mnangagwa, said “… As we mourn his sad departure, we commit ourselves to honouring him by taking forward the infrastructural projects which he championed with such extra-ordinary passion…”

Dr Matiza is survived by wife Lilian and three children; Joel, Joseph and Joshua.

Rest in Peace Dr J. B Matiza!
Famba Zvakanaka Soko Nyadava!
Hamba Kuhle Qhawe Lethu!