Harare, (New Ziana) – National hero, Absolom Sikhosana was on Wednesday laid to rest at the National Heroes Acre amid calls for youths to emulate his sacrifice, devotion and unwavering loyalty to the country.
Sikhosana (70), a long running leader of the ruling ZANU-PF party’s
National Youth League, succumbed to a heart ailment last Saturday.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa, in a eulogy at the burial, said the late
national hero had a deep desire to ensure youth not only safeguarded the country’s political independence but also fully participated in its economic development.
“His clarion call to the youths as the vanguard of the revolution was to remind them that political independence without economic freedom was hollow,” President Mnangagwa said.
“He kept driving the point that youths have a key responsibility to
participate in all sectors of the economy for sustainable development
which leaves no one behind.”
President Mnangagwa described Sikhosana as a “humble man, party stalwart, patriot, disciplined cadre who served the party and country with loyalty and unparalleled devotion.”
“He had an affectionate and infectious smile which he gave effortlessly and in abundance. It is difficult to come to terms with the fact that we will never see that smile again,” the Head of State eulogised.
While his life story remained largely unknown before his death, President Mnangagwa said Sikhosana had a “rich legacy” in trade unionism before and after the country’s independence, participation in the liberation struggle as well as in national development post independence.
In 1992, Nkosi, as he was affectionately called, served as the “education coordinator” for seven English speaking African countries at the Public Service International Headquarters in Geneva.
Sikhosana was praised for his key role in shaping the Zanu PF National
Youth League which he served as secretary for years.
“His indelible leadership for the Zanu PF National Youth League which
he chaperoned for a long time, helped to transform it into a formidable vanguard of the ruling party,” President Mnangagwa said.
Sikhosana’s demise came three days after the passing away of another
national hero, Brigadier General Crispan Masuku, with President Mnangagwa describing the deaths as a “double tragedy” the for the nation.
Masuku was buried in Bulawayo.
New Ziana