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Joseph Madzimure

Senior Reporter

Veteran journalist and liberation war hero, Charles Chengetayi Kawadza, who died on January 30, was buried at Glen Forest Memorial Park in Harare yesterday. 

The late liberation war hero, who was 62, was buried with full military honours.

He was buried in line with the Government and World Health Organisation (WHO) regulations on Covid-19 control with only a few family members and Government officials present.

Cde Kawadza did his primary education at Murehwa Mission in Mashonaland East and proceeded to Mutambara High School in Manicaland for his secondary education.

While he was doing Form Four in 1975, he decided with others, to abort his academic studies to join the liberation struggle against the brutal Rhodesian Ian Smith regime.

Speaking on behalf of Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province and Devolution Senator Oliver Chidau, deputy director in his office Mr Trust Mudzingwa described the late Kawadza as a dedicated cadre who sacrificed his life to liberate the country from the yoke of colonial bondage. He, with other men and women, crossed the border into Tanzania and received military training at Mgagao base as a zanla cadre.

During the liberation struggle, he rose through to the rank to company medical officer.

Just after independence, he went to Cuba where he furthered his studies, receiving a Master’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Orient.

Upon his return in 1987, he was employed by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation as a journalist and worked at the public broadcaster with distinction for many years.

“Through the media, Cde Kawadza continued to defend the benefits of the liberation struggle of a free Zimbabwe we cherish today. He remained resolute in support of the party’s revolutionary ideals up to his untimely death. 

“The nation, through His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Mnangagwa, saw it fit to confer the late with Liberation War Hero status,” said Minister Chidau. He said the nation had lost a liberator, dedicated cadre, colleague, humble and a compassionate man.

ZBC acting chief executive officer Ms Helliate Rushwaya said they were saddened by the passing of Kawadza, describing him as a leader and mentor.

“He joined ZBC in 1987 upon his return from Cuba where he obtained a Master’s Degree in Journalism at the University of Orient in Cuba. He began his media career as a reporter and rose through the ranks in the news department to become an assignments manager. He was a great leader, mentor and colleague who played a critical role in our news department. Our deepest condolences to his family,” said Ms Rushwaya. 

Brother to the late, Mr Abraham Kawadza, described him as a unifier.

“He used to attend to family issues, and solve problems amicably,” he said. Kawadza is survived by his wife, Grace and two children Tapiwa and Takudzwa. 

See obituary under Features, Opinions and Analysis