Princess Sibanda
Beitbridge- Veteran educationist, church elder and liberation struggle ex-detainee Isaac Noko was laid to rest at the Makakavule District Heroes Acre, following his conferment with Liberation War Hero status by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Noko, who died on August 5, in Bulawayo at the age of 86, was buried on Saturday at Makakavule District Heroes Acre under Chief Tshitaudze.
Beyond his involvement in the liberation struggle, Noko left a lasting mark through decades of service in education, helping to shape generations of learners in Beitbridge.
His teaching career spanned several schools, including Mtetengwa, Chapfuche, Chaswingo, Jopembe, Beitbridge Mission and Makakavule Primary School, where he eventually retired.
Noko holds a special place in the history of education in the district as the first teacher to open Mtetengwa Primary School in 1958, laying the foundation for the institution’s growth and development.
His career reflected a lifelong commitment to education and community service, while his role as a church elder further cemented his standing as a respected community figure.
As a former detainee during the liberation struggle, Noko also carried memories of Zimbabwe’s journey to independence, making his conferment as a Liberation War Hero a recognition of both his contribution to the struggle and his years of service to the community.
His burial at the district heroes acre has now given his contribution a permanent place in the history of Beitbridge, with the community remembering a teacher and a freedom fighter who dedicated much of his life to serving others.
