Nation remembers Lt Gen Chimonyo

Nation remembers Lt Gen Chimonyo

Hosia Mviringi

President Mnangagwa on Saturday joined the Chimonyo family and the rest of Zimbabwe in remembering the decorated late National Hero, Lt Gen. Edzai Absalom Chanyuka Chimonyo.

Speaking at the memorial ceremony at the late hero’s home in Greystone Park, Harare, President Mnangagwa extolled the level of dedicated service rendered to the nation by the late Cde Chimonyo from the time of the liberation struggle right into independent Zimbabwe.

“The late Cde Chimonyo had an illustrious career which spanned from the days of our nation’s protracted liberation struggle. His was a life in service of to his country. He was an unwavering revolutionary, fearless and brave son of the soil, liberator, military commander par-excellency, and luminary of Independent Zimbabwe,” said President Mnangagwa.

Lt Gen Chimonyo who passed away on July 8, 2021 was one of the many sons and daughters of the soil who sacrificed their childhood and education to join the struggle for the country’s Independence from British colonial rule.

He remained true to his calling to serve even after the attainment of independence in April 1980, and he went on to serve the nation as a diplomat as the country’s Ambassador to the United Republic of Tanzania, also covering Rwanda and the Republic of Burundi, a task he executed with outstanding astuteness until the advent of the Second Republic.

It was then that President Mnangagwa, upon assumption of the country’s leadership recalled Lt Gen. Chimonyo back into the military fold, this time as commander of the Zimbabwe National Army, a position he held until his untimely departure from this life.

“It is most opportune therefore that this memorial service is being held in the month of April when we celebrate our Independence Day. As we remember the late Lieutenant General Chimonyo, let us recommit to defending, safeguarding, preserving and promoting our national heritage, independence and freedom and democracy,” President Mnangagwa said.

“I therefore call upon all officers, men and women in the military, as well as members of the broader security architecture to always stand firm in defending our national sovereignty, territorial integrity as well as our socio-economic and political national interests, as defined by our unique realities,” he said.

The President urged the nation, individually and collectively to hold firm to the baton that has been bequeathed by Lt Gen. Chimonyo and run the good race toward self determination guided by the mantra “Nyika inovakwa navene vayo” (A nation is built by its people).