By A Correspondent
On Thursday, Owen Ncube, a key ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, proudly touted the economic recovery under the current regime, despite the overwhelming poverty and suffering faced by Zimbabweans.
Ncube, who serves as the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, made the comments during the Hero Burial of John Mazwienzara at the Provincial Heroes Acre in Gweru.
Below is an excerpt from Ncube’s keynote address:
Keynote Address by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube, On the Occasion of the Hero Burial of John Mazwienzara
Venue: Provincial Heroes Acre, Gweru
✅ “It is a sad day for the entire Midlands Province as we are gathered here to lay to rest a gallant son of the War of Liberation, Cde John Mazwienzara, who passed away on the 10th of January 2025, at plot number 23 Sunnymeade Farm, Redcliff, in Kwekwe after a long illness. On behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe, the Midlands Province, and indeed on my own behalf, I would like to convey my deepest heartfelt condolences to the Mazwienzara family on the untimely departure of a mentor, unifier, and inspirational father. His departure has left a huge gap in his family, the War Veterans Community, the Party ZANU PF, and the entire Midlands Province which will be hard to fill.”
✅ “The Midlands Province appreciates the conferment of Liberation War Hero status by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr E.D Mnangagwa, to one of our own in recognition of his selfless sacrifice for the independence and freedom of our motherland Zimbabwe from colonial bondage.”
✅ “Fellow comrades, Cde Mazwienzara was born on the 3rd of November 1958 in Murehwa under Chief Chirinda. He did his primary education at Bangari and Guyu Primary Schools. Life in the communal areas exposed the young Cde Mazwienzara to oppression, discrimination, and brutality perpetrated by the white minority regime against the black majority, who were relegated to second-class citizens in their country of birth. In 1975, Cde Mazwienzara made the brave decision, like most youths of his time, to join the war of liberation, inspired by Mbuya Nehanda’s bold declaration as she faced certain death by hanging: ‘Mapfupa angu achamuka’ (“My bones will rise”).”
✅ “This revolutionary spirit also ignited the passion to fight for liberation in many, including our visionary leader, His Excellency the President, Cde Dr E.D Mnangagwa, who joined the struggle in the early 60s. It is therefore fitting that our country is led by such cadres, with an impeccable history, who understand where we came from and the direction our country must take to protect our national interests and achieve prosperity.”
✅ “When the Second Republic was inaugurated on November 24, 2017, President Mnangagwa had the mandate to protect our liberation war legacy, sovereignty, and to empower Zimbabweans through inclusive policies bestowed upon him by the people of Zimbabwe.”
✅ “At the 21st ZANU PF National People’s Conference held in Bulawayo, all 10 provinces overwhelmingly endorsed Resolution Number 1: the attainment of Vision 2030, under the leadership of His Excellency, the President Cde Dr E.D Mnangagwa. The Midlands Province’s unwavering support for this resolution is clear, as visible and impactful projects have been successfully implemented under the President’s leadership, including the distribution of title deeds to indigenous Zimbabweans in furtherance of the land reform program.”
✅ “The economy is on an irreversible growth trajectory with signature modern infrastructure projects being rolled out across all provinces, backed by the Devolution and decentralization agenda that ensures no one and no place is left behind.”
✅ “Heritage-based innovation, modernization, and industrialization now provide a development framework that recognizes the critical role of the private sector, foreign direct investment, and home-grown solutions to community challenges in areas such as service delivery, agriculture, education, and digitalization.”
✅ “Cde Mazwienzara received military training at Tembwe in 1976 and was deployed to Tete Province, Takawira Sector, where he became known as Cde Zvinoperaneyi Muhondo. After Independence in 1980, he was integrated into the Zimbabwe National Army and promoted to Warrant Officer 2 until his retirement in 2003. He was awarded several medals, including the Liberation Medal, Independence Medal, Mozambique Campaign Medal, DRC Medal, Long and Exemplary Service Medal, and Fifteen Years Service Medal.”
✅ “Today, we do not grieve, but celebrate Cde Zvinoperaneyi Muhondo, for he was a committed, hardworking, and loyal cadre. He fought not for wealth or power, but for the people and the country he dearly loved. He is survived by two wives, Judith Mapako and Tsungirai Sibhensana, and one child, Petros Mazwienzara. To Cde Zvinoperaneyi Muhondo, I say: Go well, Son of the Soil. Go well, our freedom fighter. Go well, our liberation war hero. You fought the good fight, you finished your race.”
✅ “The Midlands Province salutes you, and we take great lessons from your commitment, selflessness, and sacrifice towards the liberation and development of our nation. Heroes never die. Their legacy lingers to inspire generations. Zororai Murugare, Cde. I thank you!”
While Ncube highlighted the progress made under the current government, his comments come at a time when ordinary Zimbabweans are facing harsh economic conditions, with soaring unemployment, inflation, and poverty. Despite the claims of growth and infrastructure projects, many citizens feel left behind and continue to struggle under the weight of the country’s economic challenges.