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Nikita Mangena's widow dies
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Sikhubekiso Madeya Mangena, widow of the late national hero and legendary Zipra commander Rodgers Alfred Nikita Mangena, has died. She was 69.
Mangena passed away on Sunday night at her Manningdale home in Bulawayo after a brief illness, family spokesperson Sithandekile Moyo confirmed.
"My sister died at home in Manningdale after a short illness. She is survived by her son, Lotshe. Mourners are gathered at 104 Tiffin Road, Manningdale," said Moyo.
The late Sikhubekiso Mangena was the widow of Cde Nikita Mangena, a stalwart of Zimbabwe's liberation struggle and former commander of the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (Zipra). She remained a symbol of resilience and loyalty to the liberation legacy long after her husband's untimely death.
She made headlines in May 2023 when she met with President Emmerson Mnangagwa, where she spoke passionately about her husband's dedication to Zimbabwe's independence cause.
Rodgers Alfred Nikita Mangena, one of the architects of Zimbabwe's armed struggle, was killed in a landmine explosion in southern Zambia in 1978. He was later reburied at the National Heroes Acre in Harare on August 11, 1998.
When Zapu's military wing was restructured and renamed Zipra in 1971, following the exit of the Chikerema-Nyandoro faction, Cde Mangena was appointed Commander of Zipra, with Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo serving as acting Commander-in-Chief. Under Mangena's leadership, Zipra grew into a formidable, well-disciplined liberation force.
In honour of his contributions, the government renamed the cantonment that houses the Zimbabwe National Defence University and other military institutions as Rodgers Alfred Nikita Mangena Barracks.
Funeral arrangements for the late Sikhubekiso Mangena are expected to be announced in due course.
Mangena passed away on Sunday night at her Manningdale home in Bulawayo after a brief illness, family spokesperson Sithandekile Moyo confirmed.
"My sister died at home in Manningdale after a short illness. She is survived by her son, Lotshe. Mourners are gathered at 104 Tiffin Road, Manningdale," said Moyo.
The late Sikhubekiso Mangena was the widow of Cde Nikita Mangena, a stalwart of Zimbabwe's liberation struggle and former commander of the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (Zipra). She remained a symbol of resilience and loyalty to the liberation legacy long after her husband's untimely death.
She made headlines in May 2023 when she met with President Emmerson Mnangagwa, where she spoke passionately about her husband's dedication to Zimbabwe's independence cause.
Rodgers Alfred Nikita Mangena, one of the architects of Zimbabwe's armed struggle, was killed in a landmine explosion in southern Zambia in 1978. He was later reburied at the National Heroes Acre in Harare on August 11, 1998.
When Zapu's military wing was restructured and renamed Zipra in 1971, following the exit of the Chikerema-Nyandoro faction, Cde Mangena was appointed Commander of Zipra, with Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo serving as acting Commander-in-Chief. Under Mangena's leadership, Zipra grew into a formidable, well-disciplined liberation force.
In honour of his contributions, the government renamed the cantonment that houses the Zimbabwe National Defence University and other military institutions as Rodgers Alfred Nikita Mangena Barracks.
Funeral arrangements for the late Sikhubekiso Mangena are expected to be announced in due course.
Source - zimpapers
