Staff Reporter
His Excellency the President and ZANU PF First Secretary Cde E.D Mnangagwa yesterday highlighted that we have an obligation to hold firm to the revolutionary baton passed on to us by our forebears.
President Mnangagwa made the remarks yesterday at the Memorial Service of the Late Commander of the Zimbabwe National Army Lieutenant General Edzai Absolom Chanyuka Chimonyo in Chisipite, Harare.
The Memorial Service was also attended by the Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care Cde C.D.G.N Chiwenga, Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs Cde O. C. Z Muchinguri, Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces General V. P. Sibanda and other Government officials, service chiefs and the Late Chimonyo family members and friends.
President Mnangagwa also encouraged people to recommit to defending, safeguarding, preserving and promoting our national heritage, independence, freedom and democracy as he challenged the nation to work very hard in peace.
“It is most opportune therefore that this memorial service is being held during this month of April when we celebrate our Independence Day. As we remember the Late General Chimonyo, let us recommit to defending, safeguarding, preserving and promoting our national heritage, independence, freedom and democracy. Individually and collectively we have an obligation to hold firm to the revolutionary baton passed on to us by our forebears. We must thus, run the good race towards the prosperity of all the people of our great motherland Zimbabwe, guided by our development mantra “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo.
“As we remember and honour this departed gallant, luminary and son of the soil, l challenge the nation to continue working hard and consolidating the development milestones we are registering under the Second Republic. Let us all play our part. We are stronger together; in unity, peace and harmony we are building our country. Development and prosperity is ours as a nation”, President Mnangagwa said.
The revolutionary icon, President Mnangagwa went on to describe the late Lieutenant General Chimonyo as committed to serving his country and defending our national interests.
“His was a life lived in service to his country. He was an unwavering revolutionary, fearless and brave Son of the Soil; a diplomat, a liberator, military commander par excellence and luminary of independent Zimbabwe, always committed to serving and fighting hard to defend our national interests”, said President Mnangagwa.
He also said, “I am aware that the late Lieutenant General Chimonyo was also an accomplished farmer who was renowned for producing high grade bananas in the Burma Valley. It is most encouraging that, the enterprise remains a flourishing venture, which is evidence of the solid foundation laid by our departed hero.
“This must equally inspire our farmers and business people alike to establish inter-generational entities that transcend their lifetimes. We must seek to leave behind our families, communities and indeed the country as a whole, better off”, President Mnangagwa said.
In addition President Mnangagwa praised the work of the late Cde Chimonyo saying he was a critical thinker and urged other cadres to win the hearts and minds of the people to advance the policies of the Second Republic.
“He was a critical and analytical thinker who was often delegated to explain intricate military and political principles of the revolution to other cadres. This kind of astute, knowledgeable and dependable cadre is required in our country’s present development epoch. In order to win the hearts and minds of our people to advance the policies we are implementing as the Second Republic for the realisation of Vision 2030; we all have an obligation to raise our political and social consciousness”, he said.
The Late General Chimonyo passed on due to the heart complications on 8 July 2021. He was born on 7 November 1952 in Bocha and died at the age of 69.