ADDRESS
BY
THE PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ZIMBABWE DEFENCE FORCES, HIS EXCELLENCY, CDE. E. D. MNANGAGWA AT THE BURIAL OF THE LATE NATIONAL HERO, MAJOR GENERAL (RTD) EVERISTO DZIHWEMA
NATIONAL HEROES’ ACRE,
6 JULY 2026
The Bereaved Dzihwema Family;
First Lady, Amai. Dr. A. Mnangagwa;
Vice President and Second Secretary of Zanu PF,
Hon. Gen. (Rtd) Dr. C. D. G. N. Chiwenga;
Vice President and Second Secretary of Zanu PF,
Hon. Col. (Rtd) Dr. K. C. D. Mohadi;
Chairman of ZANU PF and Minister of Defence;
Hon. O. C. Z Muchinguri-Kashiri;
Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province,
Hon. C. Tawengwa;
Honourable Ministers;
Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Adv. J. F. N. Mudenda;
President of the Senate, Hon. Amai M. M. Chinomona;
Chief Justice, Hon. E. Gwaunza;
President of the National Chiefs Council,
Hon. Sen. M. Khumalo;
Politburo and Central Committee Members;
Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet,
Dr. M. Rushwaya;
Chairman of the Public Service Commission,
Dr. V. Hungwe;
Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces,
General E. Matatu;
Service Chiefs;
Your Excellences, Members of the Diplomatic Corps;
Mayor of the City of Harare,
His Worship, Cllr. J. Mafume;
Veterans of our Liberation Struggle;
Senior Government Officials;
Fellow Mourners;
Comrades and Friends.
On behalf of the people and Government, our revolutionary mass Party, ZANU PF, my family and on my own behalf; I express heartfelt condolences to Amai Dzihwema, the Dzihwema Family and relatives, following the passing on of Major General (Rtd) Everisto Dzihwema. His Chimurenga name was ‘Cde Kid Ma-wrong-wrong.’
The late National Hero, was a veteran of the Liberation Struggle, a distinguished cadre and officer in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, who upon retirement was deployed as a senior officer in Government. He selflessly served our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe, with unflinching patriotism, professionalism, dedication, and exemplary leadership. He passed on, on the 25th June 2026, at the age of 63.
We share our prayers with the bereaved family during this difficult period. I urge you, to take comfort from the fact that the nation grieves with you. We acknowledge and honour the foot prints he leaves behind, of consistent and persistent wholehearted service, hence his interment here, at this sacred national shrine.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Fellow Mourners, Comrades and Friends; The liberation struggle was a gruesome episode in the building of our nation, which saw thousands of young men and women, including the late
Cde Everisto Dzihwema, make the bold decision to fight for our Independence and Sovereignty from an oppressive and brutal colonial regime. The late National Hero,
Major General (Rtd) Everisto Dzihwema was born on 1 January 1962, under Chief Tandi, in Makoni District, Manicaland Province.
The family was a direct victim of the Land Apportionment Act of 1930 and Land Husbandry Act of 1956, which resulted in Africans being forcibly removed from their ancestral lands to infertile and poor rainfall areas.
Their livestock and possessions were confiscated without compensation and their livelihoods destroyed relegating them to become a pool of cheap labour, for the colonial oppressive settlers.
In the 1960s, the family was moved into the infertile ‘native tribal trust-lands’, in their case Communal Areas of Tanda and Tandi, respectively.
The late General Officer completed his primary education at Tsikada School in 1973. He proceeded to St John’s Secondary School in Chikwaka from 1974 and completed his ‘O’ level at the age of fifteen in 1977. He then worked briefly in the private sector
where he came face to face with the discrimination that characterised labour relations during colonialism.
Our National Hero, was brutalised by the Rhodesian soldiers accusing him of spying for ZANLA fighters. These indiscriminate attacks compounded previous grievance of racial biases and historic trauma of land dispossession suffered by his family. To join the fight for national independence and freedom for the black majority became the only option for the young Everisto Dzihwema.
In mid-1978, at the age of 16, the late General Officer left home to join the Liberation Struggle. Along with the other fifteen young patriots, they were assisted to cross Gairezi River into Mozambique.
After receiving his military training the late General Officer was appointed Platoon Commissar for the trainees and was deployed to the front; operating under Detachment ‘C’ of Chitepo Sector. He was later moved to Sector B, operating in Chiendambuya area.
The late National Hero will be remembered as a disciplined and fearless cadre, who displayed highest levels of bravery during operations. At ceasefire, Cde Dzihwema and the rest of his Detachment went to Ellim Mission (Echo) Assembly Point, until his integration into the Zimbabwe National Army.
The late General Officer, Major General (Rtd) Dzihwema, completed some of the professional courses on offer in the Defence Forces. He rose through the ranks to General Officer serving with immense professionalism in Finance, Procurement, Human Resources and Quartermaster, rising to the highest offices in those Departments of the Zimbabwe National Army.
In recognition of his illustrious service to the nation, the late General Officer was awarded the following medals;
The Liberation Medal, Independence Medal, Ten Years’ Service Medal, Long and Exemplary Service Medal, Mozambique Campaign Medal, Democratic Republic of Congo Campaign Medal and Commander of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit Award.
Over and above his life in the military, the late retired Major General was deployed to the Civil Service as Principal Director responsible for Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment in the Ministry of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment.
He was also a member of the National Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Board. He was later transferred to the Ministry of Youth and Women Affairs and then the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation.
Following several other appointments, the late National Hero was assigned to the role of Chief Director, War Veterans Affairs, in the then Ministry of Defence and War Veterans Affairs in January 2020.
In every posting, he devoted his energy, professional expertise, leadership acumen and ultimately his whole life, for the realisation of set national priorities and the attainment of a higher quality of life, for those he was assigned to serve.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Comrades and Friends; Since the advent of the Second Republic, our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe continues to record tangible gains that impact the day-to-day lives of our people. Ongoing reforms across all sectors of the economy are yielding accelerated and positive results.
I appeal to all our people in every social sector, to be good stewards over the resources, as well as the prosperity that we are witnessing in our country, and the additional wealth expected, as we draw closer towards the realisation of Vision 2030.
The wealth which we generate from our land, mines, social services, tourism infrastructure development as well as other entrepreneurial endeavours, should benefit generations to come, not just this present generation.
We have a responsibility to leave and built legacies for our children’s children and the Zimbabwe for the future.
This was the mindset of the many heroes and heroines who went to fight in the armed liberation struggle.
They were well aware that some may not see their
aspirations and dream of a free and independent Zimbabwe. However, this did not stop them, they put their lives and limbs on the block so that us, today, can have a better life.
Today, we must never forget their sacrifices, and also determined to make the sacrifices demanded of the times so that, those that come after us inherit a united, peaceful, prosperous and modern Zimbabwe. A Zimbabwe where people honour their culture, respect one another, love one another and live in harmony with their neighbours.
These values must be deliberately instilled to our children and the youth. The DNA and national character of our great nation, should be preserved, protected and nurtured,
right from the family level. Let us not neglect this duty.
Under the Second Republic, we are “leaving no one and no place behind”. I want to assure all our people returning from the Diaspora that our ZANU PF-led Government has put in place comprehensive plans for the seamless, safe, orderly and dignified re-integration.
In line with the character trait, we are known as a warm and hospitable people, it is pleasing that community members along the transit route, including in
Matabeleland South and Masvingo Provinces continue to demonstrate acts of kindness towards those going back to their countries of origin. Well done, Tinozvitenda, Siyabonga.
Going forward, all our communities, including Traditional Leaders, Churches and Families, are challenged to play their part towards the successful re-integration arrangements, as outlined in various circulars from the Party and Government.
Meanwhile, I invite the private sector and well-wishers to donate and partner with Government to accelerate the repatriation of many more of our people back home.
Our hands, therefore, are outstretched to receive all those coming back home. You are welcome, Tinokugamuchirayi, Siyalamukela. Welcome home.
Let us continue to build, modernise, industrialise and develop our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe together, as one united country.
Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo.
Comrades;
As we immortalise the life history of our late National Hero, ‘Cde Kid Ma-wrong-wrong,’ let us continue to raise high, the banner of unity, peace and development.
The focus remains on delivering transformative results, towards improving the quality of life of our people.
I urge the nation, in particular the young generation, to take a leaf from the exemplary life of the late National
Hero Major General (Rtd) Dzihwema who distinguished himself through unparalleled discipline, sacrifice, hard-work and a fierce commitment to the ethos of the liberation struggle. His rise through the ranks in the Defence Forces and Civil Service was due to his profound commitment to duty and unwavering love for this nation.
He possessed rare and strong leadership qualities that were underpinned by humility and a compassionate heart that earned him respect from all those that worked with him.
To the late National Hero, Major General (Rtd) Everisto Dzihwema, I say to you; the nation cherishes your life-time sacrifice and achievements in service to the people.
You bequeath to us who are left behind, the important values of professional conduct that is based on patriotism, loyalty, honesty, integrity, humility, hard-honest work and exemplary leadership. Your deeds of merit and outstanding life of service will remain immortalised in our national memory.
Zorora murugare Gamba ramaGamba.
Lala ngokuthula Qhawe lama Qhawe.
May your soul rest in eternal peace ‘Son of the Soil.’
God bless you all.
God bless Zimbabwe.
I thank you.