By Political Reporter

Zimbabweans should aspire to have a prosperous country that knows no discrimination based on colour, race, religion, political affiliation, gender or creed.

This was said by President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday while presiding over the burial of the late Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba and the late Zanu PF Central Committee member Cde Moton Paul Malianga at the National Heroes Acre in Harare.

“Most of our departed comrades, including the two we are bidding farewell today, envisaged a free and prosperous Zimbabwe that knew no discrimination based on colour, race, religion, political affiliation, gender or creed. Until now, this is the Zimbabwe that we all want and indeed the Zimbabwe we must all work hard to realize,” said the President.

The President said both Cde Malianga and Gwaradzimba, just like other heroes interred at the National Heroes Acre, sacrificed their lives and careers to break the yoke of colonial bondage.

“These men and women sacrificed their lives, careers and families to break the yoke of colonial bondage that was wearing down the indigenous people of our great country. It was that spirit of patriotism, bravery and selflessness that propelled them to confront the enemy, even from a seemingly weaker position,” said President Mnangagwa.

The President reminded mourners that the the war of liberation was won on the basis of collective effort, adding that COVID 19 would be defeated if all Zimbabweans played their part.

“As we mourn and lay to rest our departed national hero and heroine, let us be reminded that our freedom and independence was achieved by many in their own various ways.

 “No one family, clan or tribe can ever be exclusively credited. We achieved our aspiration for independence and peace as a united people.

“Equally, with the current deadly war against this evil Covid-19 pandemic facing our nation, we will win as a united people,” said President Mnangagwa.

President Mnangagwa further said it is also of paramount importance that Zimbabweans follow the health and security protocols and procedures to contain the spread of the pandemic.

He further urged everyone to continue sanitising, wear face masks properly as well as maintain social distance rules.

He said those who are not part of essential services should stay at home.

Speaking of Dr Gwaradzimba, whose Chimurenga name was Cde Shee Tapera, the President said her academic history and her continued service to the nation in the political arena must challenge more academics to avail themselves for strategic national deployment across all sectors of the economy.

Dr Gwaradzimba joined the liberation struggle in 1976 and underwent military training in Tanzania at Nachigwea Military Academy to detachment command level in the provincial command structure.

After attainment of independence, the late Minister Gwaradzimba held various positions in Zanu PF that included being Central Committee and Manicaland provincial chairperson in the Women’s League.

She was Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution at the time of her death.

On Cde Malianga, the President said he was the founding president of the National Democratic Party (NDP) before becoming Zimbabwe African People’s Union (Zapu) secretary for Public Affairs.

In 1964, he was appointed Zimbabwe African National Union’s first secretary for Youth and Culture at the party’s first congress in May 1964. He was later arrested by the Smith regime and spent 10 years in prison and it was during his time of detention that he studied for a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in economics, business economics and accounting.

After his release from prison in 1974, he worked with other members of the Zanu Central Committee in mobilising for the liberation war.

He attended ceasefire negotiations that included the Victoria Falls talks, the Geneva Conference and the Lancaster House Conference.

At independence, Cde Malianga was appointed Senator and became Deputy Minister of Economic Planning and Development in 1981 .In 1983 he was appointed Deputy Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development.

His political career included being a Member of Parliament for Mutare West, Deputy Minister of Trade and Commerce in 1988 and Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce.

He was a Zanu PF Central Committee member at the time of his death.