By Margaret Kamba 

ZANU PF Director for Information and Publicity Cde Farai Marapira says the former President of Zimbabwe, the late National Hero, His Excellency President Robert Mugabe, was the face and embodiment of Zimbabwe's struggle for independence.

His remarks come at a time when people commemorate the death of the late leader who championed among other things Zimbabwe's Land Reform Programme which benefitted the landless black majority subsequently seeing the West imposing the illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe.

President Mugabe was also known for his unapologetic stance at the United Nations General Assembly where he would boldly call a spade a spade with him at one time telling the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, to keep his England while he kept his Zimbabwe. 

Despite the fallout caused by the G40 cabal some years ago, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa maintained the status of President Mugabe being a father figure ensuring the annual 21st February Movement celebrations be carried out in honor of the good work done. His forgiving nature has seen him calling on the G40 cabal to return home and let bygones be bygones. It has also witnessed his having the Political Actors Dialogue POLAD set up with the aim of building the country as one people.

Speaking on StarFm this week, Director Marapira highlighted that the late leader was a representation of the country's liberation struggle.

"Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe was the face and embodiment of our struggle for independence. He was the face and voice of the aspirations of thousands of Zimbabwe's sons and daughters who had left the country to come back wielding weapons so that we could fight for our independence," Cde Marapira said.

"He was very articulate and very immaculate in expressing the desires of all comrades who had decided to be independent and who had decided to break free from the chains of colonialism and subjugation. 

"Post-independence , he became again the face and the aspirations of the people as they decided to take control their resources to gain their sovereignty to gain back their pride. And he was again the face of the people when we took back our land.

"Cde Robert Mugabe was a great man in Zimbabwe and in Africa because he not only spoke for Zimbabwe but he spoke for Africa. He spoke not only for Africa but for every oppressed black man out there. He took on his job well. He represented his fellow comrades well and he was their embodiment and representative to a point of absolute excellence. He is a gallant son and a father to Zimbabwe and he is always worthy of the praise he receives."

Director Marapira added that President Mugabe was and will always be a blessing to this nation.