Harare (New Ziana) – Remarkable achievements in the protracted war of liberation and the many years of illegal economic sanctions remain a testament of the firm determination and unquenchable resolve of the nation, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Wednesday.
He said this while addressing thousands of mourners who gathered at the National Heroes Acre to witness the burial of Colonel (Rtd) Tshinga Dube.
Col Dube, whose Chimurenga name was ‘Comrade Embassy’, passed away at Matadei Hospital in Bulawayo on Thursday evening due to kidney failure.
President Mnangagwa said only in unity will the country forever defend and safeguard its independence, sovereignty, peace, security and stability.
He called on the media and the communications fraternity, together with civil society organisations, to play their part in nation building.
“Content which propagates hate, disharmony and harms our national institutions is an affront to our collective national aspirations. Let us all ensure the realisation of Vision 2030 through production, productivity as well as positive national efforts, in all sectors of the economy.
“Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/llizwe lakhiwa, Iibuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo (a country is built, governed and prayed for by its people) is the philosophy and guidance that must
continue to inspire and motivate us, as we build our country, young and old alike,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the life-history of the departed and living heroes including the late Col Tshinga Dube, serve as a powerful reminder that the nation, with unity and cohesion as a people, is capable of conquering the seemingly impossible, no matter how arduous.
He said Col (Rtd) Dube will be fondly remembered for his jovial as well as frank and honest contributions in both the ZANU PF Politburo and Central Committee.
“He was a reservoir of knowledge and repository of institutional memory, always guiding cadres on the correct line of the revolution,” he said.
“His loyalty, compassion and servant leadership, as a long serving Member of Parliament for Makokoba constituency, coupled with the integrity he demonstrated during his time at the helm of the Ministry responsible for Veterans of the Liberation Struggle, is worthy of emulation.”
President Mnangagwa said Col Dube’s passing on is a huge blow to the nation, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, community of veterans of the liberation struggle and the ruling ZANU PF party, which he loyally
served as well as the soccer fraternity, particularly Highlanders Football Club, where he served as a long-time benefactor.
The late Col (Rtd) Dube was born on 3 July 1941 in Fort Usher, Matobo District, Matabeleland South Province.
He enrolled for primary and secondary education at Mzilikazi Primary School and Solusi Mission. On completion of secondary education in 1960, he briefly worked as a teacher, prior to his full-time involvement in
politics.
This saw him join the protracted liberation struggle for independence as a member of the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA). While in Zambia in 1964, the late “Comrade Embassy” was selected for military
training in the then Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), specialising in Military Communications and became a notable instructor in that field.
In 1966, he was deployed as a Reconnaissance Officer in the western part of Zimbabwe and participated in various missions, including mobilising and organising the masses in support of the war of liberation.
The late national hero’s competencies, particularly in the areas of military communications and arms procurement, helped to enhance the military capabilities of the liberation forces.
Col Dube rose through the ranks to become a key member in the arms procurement department of ZIPRA and was instrumental in facilitating shipments of arms to support the struggle against the racist settler
Rhodesian regime.
This perilous and dangerous task resulted in his unfortunate arrest and imprisonment in Botswana for bringing arms of war.
After serving his prison sentence, the late Col (Rtd) Dube was released and returned to Zambia, where he was appointed to various command positions and later became a member of the ZIPRA High Command.
At the end of 1979, the late Col Dube was deployed as a member of the Ceasefire Commission, assigned to help in the demobilisation and integration of ZANLA, ZIPRA and Rhodesian Forces to form the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA).
He was attested in the ZNA in 1980 and commissioned as a Colonel, where he headed the Zimbabwe Signals Corps until his retirement in 1989.
During his illustrious career in the ZDF, the late Col Dube attended several career military courses.
At the time of his death, he was a revered businessperson.
The late Col Dube is survived by his wife, Nomatemba, several children, and grandchildren.
New Ziana
