Zimbabwe on Saturday paid its final respects to National Hero Brigadier General (Retired) Mark Charles Chimwaza, whose burial at the National Heroes Acre was marked not by sorrow alone, but by reflection, pride and celebration of a life devoted to the service of the nation.
The late Brigadier General Chimwaza was remembered as a humble, disciplined and selfless patriot who dedicated both his youth and adulthood to the liberation struggle and the development of independent Zimbabwe. Mourners who gathered at the National Shrine spoke less of loss and more of gratitude, honouring a man whose personal sacrifices helped shape the country’s freedom.
From a young age, Chimwaza displayed a deep sense of justice and commitment to the cause of liberation. As a schoolboy, he abandoned formal education and crossed into Mozambique to join the armed struggle against colonial rule. That defining decision set the course for a lifetime of service, courage and loyalty to the nation.
His family said the recognition accorded to him as a National Hero brought pride and comfort, affirming that his sacrifices had not been in vain.
“As a family, we are happy because he has been given the highest honour in the land,” said his brother, Mr Edmund Chimwaza. “He was selfless, and even as a young boy, he could not stomach segregation and the unfair treatment by the colonisers. We are proud that his sacrifice has been recognised at this level.”
For those who served alongside him during the liberation struggle and after independence, Brigadier General (Retired) Chimwaza was not only a dedicated soldier, but also a reliable comrade and trusted friend.
Air Vice Marshal Biltim Chingono, who trained alongside the late national hero, described Chimwaza as a man of quiet strength and unwavering resolve.
Brig Gen (Rtd) Mark Chimwaza Remembered for Dedicated National Service
“We trained together and went through a lot together,” Chingono said. “He was a humble man who was determined to win. To me, he was more than a fellow soldier — he was a good friend whom I relied on.”
Lieutenant Colonel Elijah Jabangwe echoed similar sentiments, highlighting Chimwaza’s professionalism and sense of duty both during the struggle and in post-independence service.
“He was humble and deeply dedicated to duty,” Jabangwe said. “His death is not just a loss to his family, but to the nation, and to me personally. We were together during training and even when we were serving after independence. He remained consistent in his values and commitment.”
Speakers noted that Chimwaza embodied the ideals of discipline, humility and service, qualities that defined his military career long after independence was attained. He was described as a man who did not seek recognition, but whose work spoke for itself.
The burial also carried deep significance for Manicaland Province, which has in recent years lost several liberation war veterans. Provincial leaders expressed both sorrow and pride as yet another gallant son was laid to rest at the National Shrine.
Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, said the province mourned the loss while taking pride in Chimwaza’s contribution to the country’s freedom.
“It is unfortunate that Manicaland continues to lose liberation fighters,” Mugadza said. “However, we are comforted by the fact that they are being accorded the honour they deserve. We take pride in the work that Cde Chimwaza did, although it is saddening that he passed on without fully enjoying the benefits of the freedom he fought for.”
As mourners departed the National Heroes Acre, the prevailing mood was one of solemn pride. Brigadier General (Retired) Chimwaza was remembered not only for his role in dismantling colonial rule, but also for the values he upheld — selflessness, humility and unwavering loyalty to Zimbabwe.
Another distinguished military commander and liberation icon has departed, but his legacy remains firmly etched in the nation’s history. His contribution to freeing Zimbabwe from colonial bondage will endure, serving as a reminder of the sacrifices made by a generation that placed country above self.
Source- ZBC
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