Dignitaries hail Chitepo's humility

National heroine Victoria Chitepo has been described as a humble cadre who never used the liberation war credentials of her late husband, the founding Zanu Chairman Herbert Chitepo, to climb up the political ladder. Chitepo (88), who died in Harare last Friday, was accorded national heroine status for her immense contribution to Zimbabwe before and after Independence.

Several dignitaries interviewed before the arrival of Chitepo's body at Bonda Mission in Mutasa District yesterday afternoon, described her as a humble cadre whose unwavering stance on the party's political ethos would be missed.

The body of the national heroine arrived at the family's rural home near Bonda Mission at around 4pm. It was accompanied by Politburo member Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, her son, Kule Zvenyika Chitepo and zanu-pf Manicaland provincial chairman Dr Samuel Undenge.

Several Government ministers, legislators, service chiefs and heads of Government departments welcomed Chitepo's body that was aboard an Air Force of Zimbabwe helicopter.

Retired Anglican bishop, Bishop Sebastian Bakare, led a prayer service. Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Mandi Chimene hailed the departed heroine for remaining steadfast in the Chitepo family after the death of her husband.

"I think she led by example. I came into politics way after the likes of Victoria Chitepo were there. But, she was quite humble and never wanted to show everyone that she was the wife of one of the founding members of the liberation struggle.

"I also think one of the things that we will learn from her is her unmatched steadfastness in the Chitepo family. If it were some of the cadres today, I think we would have changed many surnames after the death of the beloved one, but Chitepo was not like that. She remained steadfast and took care of the kids that Chitepo (husband) left behind."

National Assembly member for Mutasa South Irene Zindi said: "What we are seeing these days is not what the likes of Victoria Chitepo taught us. I learnt a lot from Victoria Chitepo. She was not the one to aspire for the high table at every function, even though it would be clear that she deserved to be there.

"She never showed or boasted about being the wife of one of the most decorated liberation war fighters.

"Some of the leaders that we have today brag about the little achievements that they have made, yet some people like Victoria Chitepo remained calm and humble even though they had fiery liberation war

credentials. I will miss her and hope to continue emulating her. I wish we would all emulate her." Nyasha Chikwinya, the Mutare South Member of the National Assembly, also commended Chitepo for her patriotic stance.

"One would not believe that she is not originally from Zimbabwe, given the way she loved this country. She loved Zimbabwe and its people in a manner that most of us cannot match.

"She was more concerned with uplifting the lives of the youths and women. She loved children and that is why she gave sound education to her own kids," said Chikwinya. Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Christopher Mushohwe, spoke glowingly of Chitepo's humility.

"I remember when I was Governor for Manicaland she would come to my office, and each time she came, I would ask her why she had not phoned me so that instead I would be the one to drive to see her myself, but she would refuse.

"This is how humble she was. After all, all those visits were about the Chitepo Ideological College. She really wanted to see that coming to fruition and I think it would be a befitting tribute for us to make sure that the college is up and running," said Dr Mushohwe.

Chitepo's body lay in state at her Bonda rural home last night, and was expected to be flown back to Harare this morning where it would lay in state again before burial at the National Heroes' Acre tomorrow.

Earlier in the day, a funeral service for Chitepo was held at One Commando in Harare before the body was airlifted to Bonda.

Dr Undenge, Muchinguri-Kashiri and Deputy Minister for Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development, Abigail Damasane, attended the funeral service, among other Government officials.

On Saturday President Mugabe described Chitepo as steadfastly loyal. He said after her husband's assassination in 1975, Chitepo remained committed to the liberation struggle and worked tirelessly for the party.

Born on March 27, 1928 in South Africa, Chitepo was a teacher by profession and married Advocate Chitepo in 1955. During the liberation struggle, inspired by her husband, she organised women to march in protest and co-ordinated care for detainees who were in prisons in places such as Marondera and Sikhombela.

At Independence Chitepo held several Ministerial positions and was a former Member of Parliament in Manicaland. She was United Nations' eminent person and special advisor to United Nations Secretary-General Mr Boutros Boutros Ghali on preparations for the Fourth World Conference on Women (1994-1995).

She was appointed a member of the Commonwealth Mission to South Africa in 1993, replacing Justice Simbi Mubako. Chitepo was awarded an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Tourism and Hospitality Management degree for her contribution to national development by the Midlands State University in 2010.

Chitepo is survived by four children and grandchildren.