By Shadreck Gurenje
Acting President Dr Chiwenga has call upon Zimbabweans to rally behind the visionary leadership of President Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa which seek to transform, modernise and grow the economy of Zimbabwe.
Addressing mourners at the burial of the late National Hero Brigadier General Ndabambi ,Acting President Retired General Dr Chiwenga said the sacrifices by those that brought independence should be consummated by continuously galvanizing all efforts towards national development and prosperity.
Acting President Chiwenga also reiterated that the nation at large should honour those that ignited and championed the struggle for the freedom by emulating their exemplary conduct and leadership to carry Zimbabwe forward.
“As we accelerate toward our economic emancipation, I call upon the nation to rally behind the visionary leadership of our iconic leader, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, as we leave no stone unturned in our thrust to transform, modernise and grow the economy of our country to the Zimbabwe we all want. The sacrifices by those that brought independence should be consummated by continuously galvanizing all our efforts towards national development and prosperity. Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo, Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikzi balo.
“Our Independence did not come on a silver platter. This gathering at our sacred National Shrine to inter one of our liberation stalwarts should always serve as a reminder of the supreme sacrifice that Comrade Ndabambi and other veterans offered, in service, to the nation. Many Zimbabweans lost their lives fighting for the Independence that we enjoy and cherish today.
“ It is, therefore, the duty and obligation of all of us who are still alive to guard our independence and sovereignty jealously. We should honour those that ignited and championed the struggle for our freedom by emulating their exemplary conduct and leadership to carry Zimbabwe forward,”said Acting President Chiwenga.
Acting President Chiwenga also said the Second Republic under the leadership of President Mnangagwa has set the country on an accelerated broad-based development trajectory that has witnessed the completion of various mega infrastructural projects in all sectors of the economy.
“The Second Republic, under his astute leadership has set the country on an accelerated broad-based development trajectory. We have witnessed the completion of various mega infrastructural projects in all sectors of the economy and many more are at different stages of completion. Indeed, these are giants steps towards industrialization and economic emancipation which the late National Hero and our forbearers sacrificed their lives for. I therefore, challenge every one of us to endeavour to keep the economic revolutionary flame alight, through honest and hard work that uplifts the quality of life for our people.
“No nation will develop without sovereign control, defence and growth of its own national currency. Our Government introduced the Zimbabwe Gold as our new sovereign currency. It is our responsibility as a nation to embrace and protect the new currency as a bedrock and anchor of our economic development,” said Acting President Chiwenga.
The late Brigadier General (Retd) Shadreck Dingaan Ndabambi, whose Chimurenga name was ‘Cde Dingani Kimati’ was born on 1 December 1956 at Mutoko Hospital. He was the seventh child in a family of ten children to his parents Elijah Jappie Ndabambi and Monica Chiwenyu Ndabambi (nee Matutururu).
In 1974, the late General enrolled at Ranch House College in Harare for Ordinary Level studies. While at Ranch House College, the young Shadreck Dingaan Ndabambi got exposed to the politics of the liberation struggle driven by the glaring inequalities and the brutalities of the settler regime.
The following year, on 3 March 1975, he teamed up with a group of four boys and abandoned college opting to join the liberation struggle. The journey to cross borders into neighbouring countries, mainly through Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique in transit to rearmost bases was not an easy one. These were teenagers that would travel long distances mostly at night to escape the dangerous patrols of the Rhodesian settler army through dangerous wildlife and land mines infested forests and borders.
Comrade Ndabambi and his group crossed the border through the Gaerezi River Area of Nyamaropa into Mozambique. Upon arrival in Mozambique, the late General and his compatriots briefly stayed at Seguranza Frelimo Base where they were joined by the late founding President Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe and Cde Edgar Tekere. The late General would later be transferred to several Base Camps including Katandika, Junta, Chimoio, Nyadzonya and lastly Tembwe where he received his military training in 1976.
On completing training, the late Brigadier General Ndabambi was deployed in the Manica Province, Monomutapa Sector under Mutambara Detachment, as a Section Security Officer where he operated for one and half years. In 1977, he was injured in a battle and was withdrawn to Chimoio Base for treatment and recuperation. After the heinous Chimoio attack by the Smith Regime, the late General was taken to Soalap Camp where the injured from the Chimoio battle were kept. He was later assigned to work in the late Cde Josiah Magama Tongogara’s office at ZANLA Headquarters in Gondola. He was responsible for drawing operational and cartography materials that were used in the liberation struggle.