By Brenda Muchato
Addressing mourners gathered at the National Heroes Acre, for the Burial of the Late National Hero Cde Kenny Ridzai Mabuya today, His Excellency President Mnangagwa described the late National Hero Cde Mabuya as an unflinching patriot who was always focused on the grand national objective of a liberated and prosperous Zimbabwe.
"In the late National Hero, Cde Mabuya, the nation has lost an unflinching patriot, hardworking, intelligent, humble, forthright and dependable cadre and stalwart of our liberation struggle. He saw beyond tribes and regional origins, always focused on the grand national objective of a liberated and prosperous, Zimbabwe", President Mnangagwa said.
His Excellency was accompanied by the Vice President and ZANU PF Second Secretary, Col (Rtd) K.C.D Mohadi and ZANU PF Chairman and Minister of Defence, Hon O.C.Z Muchunguri-Kashiri.
President Mnangagwa also urged parents to draw lessons from the late Cde Mabuya's parent's revolutionary teachings.
"Despite securing sanctuary in Zambia, Kenny's parents kept their children well informed about the political developments and ill-treatment of blacks by the racist colonial settler administration back home, in the then Southern Rhodesia. It was these revolutionary teachings that sowed seeds of political consciousness in the young Mabuya", he said.
He also encouraged the mourners to recommit defending the nation's independence and sovereignty.
"We started the struggle with only the will-power and resolve to liberate our country against an established brutal and racist enemy. The settler regime was supported overtly and covertly by powerful countries. However, with the determination of many cadres such as the late National Hero, Cde Mabuya, we triumphed against the enemy. We conquered colonialism and now stand tall as a free and independent people. I call upon all Zimbabweans to treasure and defend our peace, unity, Independence and sovereignty", siad President Mnangagwa.
The revolutionary icon, President Mnangagwa went on to describe the late as a dependable, loyal cadre and intelligence supremo who helped to shape the nation's intelligence and security apparatus.
"Later, when I was the Minister responsible for State Security, I also closely worked with Cde Kenny Ridzai. He was a trustworthy, dependable and loyal cadre who helped to shape our intelligence and security apparatus both during the liberation struggle and in the post-independence era. We have indeed lost one of our country's long-time intelligence-supremoes. Today, we therefore, inter him alongside other luminaries at this sacred National Heroes Shrine", President Mnangagwa said.
He also added, "He was one of those who dared the colonial regime head-on and contributed to the formation of a credible and effective armed wing of our liberation movement, which dismantled the military capabilities of our former oppressors"
The Late Cde Kenny Ridzai passed on after a short illness on 23 January 2024. He was born on 12 January 1952 in Filabusi and died at the age of 72.