President Mnangagwa has hailed the late former President Robert Mugabe who died on September 6 at the age of 95.
In a statement, Mnangagwa said he is joining the former First Family and the entire nation in commemorating the passing on of the late First Executive President of Zimbabwe.
“A freedom fighter par excellence, and veteran nationalist, the late Cde. R.G. Mugabe was a revered frontline Statesman who fearlessly championed the political and economic emancipation of Southern Africa and our continent of Africa.
“A true son of the soil and an iconic liberation fighter, ushered Zimbabwe into Independence in 1980, following a protracted armed liberation struggle against colonial rule, better known as the Second Chimurenga/Umvukhela.
“He endured eleven years of incarceration and detention by the settler colonial regime bent on perpetuating minority rule in our richly endowed motherland.”
President Mnangagwa said, upon his release in 1975 and subsequent relocation to Mozambique, Mugabe led the revolutionary Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) Party in the country’s Great War of Liberation until final victory in 1980 and, thereafter, during the era of the First Republic.
“The late President’s renowned political astuteness and zeal for social, economic and political empowerment of Zimbabwe’s indigenous people impelled him to champion the Land Reform Programme, which addressed historical land ownership imbalances emanating from the colonial era.
“His undying quest to economically empower indigenous farmers and to transform the lives of all Zimbabweans saw him implement various indigenisation and economic empowerment programmes, which gave Zimbabweans back their self-belief and respect, thus building the resilience to overcome illegal sanctions imposed on the country.
“Determined to promote and protect human rights of every Zimbabwean citizen, regardless of race, colour, tribe or creed, Cde. Mugabe broadened access to health and education to the marginalised sectors of our society.
“In honour of his exploits and to serve as an enduring legacy worthy of emulation, the Second Republic added a National Honours and Awards category in his name, in the area of human capital development.
“A revered revolutionary leader and embodiment of Pan-Africanism, Cde. Mugabe belonged to a generation of fearless nationalist leaders who fought for the liberation of Africa, and who included Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere of Tanzania, Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya, Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, Samora Moises Machel of Mozambique, Agostino Neto of Angola, Sam Nujoma of Namibia, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo of Zimbabwe and Nelson Mandela of South Africa. True to his stature, Cde. Mugabe dedicated his life to fighting apartheid, promotion of Pan-Africanist ideals and African renaissance, and encouraging solidarity and commitment for the development of Africa and the downtrodden, disenfranchised masses of the world.”
