Double Heroes Burial Monday – Eduzim News

By a Correspondent — Zimbabwe will on Monday lay to rest two national heroes, Cde Elson Mupamaonde and Major General (Retired) Herbert Chingono, in a joint burial that underscores the nation’s continued reverence for its liberation war stalwarts.

The dual send-off comes as the country mourns the loss of two distinguished figures whose contributions to the liberation struggle and post-independence nation-building have been widely recognised.

War veteran Cde Elson Mupamaonde, who has been declared a national hero, died earlier this week, with his family describing him as a pillar of strength and a unifying figure.

State media visited his family at Chipiri Farm in Centenary on Wednesday, where grief was palpable.

“My uncle was a true hero, a liberation fighter. We loved him dearly,” said his nephew, Thomas Muguti.

His daughter, Tatiana Mupamaonde, added: “I am in pain following the passing of my father. We lived well together and shared many good times.”

Another daughter, Monalisa Mupamaonde, said: “I am deeply saddened by my father’s death. He was a good man who taught me many valuable lessons.”

Family spokesperson Peter Mushayavanhu said the conferment of national hero status had brought comfort during a difficult time.

“A dark cloud hangs over us. We are in mourning and still trying to come to terms with our loss. However, we are comforted by the granting of national hero status,” he said.

Born in 1950 in Sohwe, Muzarabani, Cde Mupamaonde joined the liberation struggle in 1972, crossing into Zambia via Botswana. He trained in Morogoro in 1973 before undergoing specialised artillery training in Ukraine in January 1974 under the leadership of Cde Alfred Nikita Mangena.

He returned to the war front in December 1975, where he played a role in key operations during the liberation struggle, including the shooting down of an Air Rhodesia Viscount aircraft on February 12, 1979.

His body is expected to be flown from Bindura to Sohwe, Muzarabani, on Friday, where it will lie in state until Sunday before being transferred to Charles Gumbo Barracks ahead of burial at the National Heroes Acre on Monday.

Meanwhile, the body of Major General (Retired) Herbert Chingono has returned to Harare following a farewell in his rural home in Nyazura, where mourners from Manicaland Province gathered to pay their last respects.

The late national hero, who died at the age of 68 on March 15 at his Pentland Farm in Mazowe after a short illness, will also be buried on Monday.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, his body will lie in state at several locations ahead of burial.

“His body will be taken to his farm in Mazowe and return to Harare the same day. On Saturday, the body will lie in state at his residence in Greystone Park, and on Sunday, it will lie in state ahead of burial on Monday,” said ministry director Ms Brenda Mamvura.

He is survived by his wife, Loyse Chingono, and six children.

Both national heroes will lie in state at Charles Gumbo Barracks before being interred at the National Heroes Acre, alongside other liberation icons.

Their joint burial marks a sombre but symbolic moment, as Zimbabwe bids farewell to two sons of the soil whose lives were defined by sacrifice, service and commitment to the country’s independence.

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