For the first time, Mugabe fails to officiate at his shrine

Thousands of people thronged the National Heroes Acre this Sunday to bid farewell to the late national hero, Edgar 2 Boy Tekere, who died in Mutare last Tuesday.

Before the proceedings at the national shrine, hundreds had thronged Stodart Hall in Mbare for the body viewing.

Acting President, Cde Jonh Landa Nkomo led the mourners during body viewing, followed by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara; Retired General, Solomon Mujuru; Senate President, Cde Edina Madzongwe; cabinet ministers; services chiefs; Zanu PF Politburo and Central Committee members; friends and relatives.

After body viewing, the casket of the late national hero was taken to its final resting place at the National Heroes Acre with thousands of people waving the national flag in respect of the pivotal role played by Cde Tekere, who was described by many as the undefeatable cadre of the struggle, whose contribution to the liberation of Zimbabwe will forever be key in the history of Zimbabwe.

Colleagues who worked with Cde Tekere said despite his deviation during the latter part of his illustrious political career, he had remained a true revolutionary and never betrayed the nation by entertaining the enemy in attempting to reverse the gains of the liberation struggle.

Veteran nationalist, Cde Kumbirayi Kangai, who worked with the late cadre, said the name Tekere cannot be separated from the history of the country and the conferment of national hero status on him is most befitting.

The Minister of State Security, Cde Sydney Sekeramayi, who is another veteran nationalist who knew Cde Tekere during the liberation struggle, described him as an icon of the second Chimurenga, who demonstrated great passion for equality.

"He was a true icon of the country's revolution, whose contribution to the liberation of Zimbabwe can never be undermined," he said.

Zanu PF Secretary for Information and Publicity, Cde Rugare Gumbo, who also worked with Cde Tekere in Mozambique, said the late national hero deserves a place in the country's history.

Also attending the burial were several politicians from opposition parties.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Professor Arthur Mutambara described Cde Tekere as a fearless and courageous soldier who defied all odds in his quest to liberate the masses.

Some who also spoke greatly about the life of Cde 2Boy Tekere include former Zanu PF firebrand politician, Margaret Dongo as well as the Co-Minister of the Organ on National Healing and Reconciliation, Mrs Sekai Holland, who represented ZANU in the Australian – Asian region before independence and also worked with Cde Tekere.

The massive turnout at the national heroes' acre demonstrated the illustrious life which the national hero lived through out the period of the liberation struggle.

Cde Tekere, who was incarcerated by the Rhodesian regime at the age of 29 and a decade in prison, died this Tuesday at the age of 74.

He becomes the 90th national hero interred at the national shrine.