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We’re masters of our destiny, says President
Herald Reporter
Zimbabwe’s sovereignty is non-negotiable and outsiders will only be entertained as partners in exploiting its resources for the development of the nation, President Mugabe has said.
Speaking at the burial of national heroine Amai Sunny Ntombiyelanga Takawira at the National Heroes Acre in Harare yesterday, President Mugabe said Zimbabwe’s destiny lies in Zimbabwean hands.
Amai Takawira was the widow of the late veteran nationalist and first Zanu vice president Cde Leopold Takawira.
"Her death comes at a time when the country is going through challenging moments both in terms of economic recovery and political stability.
"All those who lie buried here fought for one thing — an independent Zimbabwe whose destiny lies in the hands of its citizens.
"This is the enduring legacy that we the surviving ones should guard jealously and bequeath to future generations," President Mugabe said.
The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces said Zimbabwe’s interests came first and the citizenry must be prepared to defend these.
"The country’s sovereignty is non-negotiable, and the unity of our people remains paramount in all our endeavours.
"Equally, peace in our country must continue to prevail to ensure that development will occur uninterrupted.
"Let us honour our heroes by ensuring that each one of us, wherever we are, promotes unity, harmony and peace in our country."
Describing Mai Takawira as "a special woman", the President said her death had touched many Zimbabweans.
He said Mai Takawira had devoted her entire life to national service and raising her family.
"She executed her responsibilities and duties faithfully, humbly and with passion, but all the time avoiding drawing public attention to herself.
"Amai Takawira was publicity-shy and allowed her good works to speak eloquently for themselves.
"No wonder many people might ask, who this person is the country has bestowed the honour of national heroine status."
President Mugabe’s relationship with the Takawira family dates back to the time the late former Zanu vice president Takawira was at Kutama Mission.
President Mugabe and Cde Takawira both worked as teachers before they joined hands in such political parties as the National Democratic Party, Zapu and Zanu.
"Cde Takawira started the NDP with others when I was in Ghana and when I came back, that is when I got to know her.
"She was looking after a big family in Highfield.
"Nekuti vanaVaTakawira vainge vasisashande, nekuti kana wapinda munyaya dzekusunungura vanhu, the people become your employer.
"She, however, looked after the family. She made sure that the family was fed and when we were arrested and detained, Amai Takawira suffered in the hands of the colonialists," he said.
The President said Mai Takawira’s legacy was a resolute and strong person who never looked back was admirable.
"Kushingirira kwavakaita kuchengeta mhuri pakasungwa murume wavo dzimwe mhuri dzichiparara.
"She remained morally straight and was respected by everyone. Although she was persecuted by the settler regime for providing information to political detainees, she never wavered.
"Asi musi wandinoona kuti vakarwadziwa chaizvo inguva iyo vanaSmith pavakafunga kuita UDI (Unilateral Declaration of Independence).
"Kuti isimbe (UDI) chaizvo iregere kuzunguzuka vakatora mhesva mikono yese yaiva mumadetention and put them in prison," he said.
President Mugabe said revolutionaries were taken to Harare Central Prison and when Cde Takawira became ill due to diabetes, he was refused medication.
"He was put in solitary confinement as the authorities accused him of trying to sneak out of prison to see his wife who worked at Harare Hospital.
"He was only discovered later when he had collapsed and was found lying on the floor of his cell.
"Asi chinhu chinorwadza kuti vakanonoka kuvapa mushonga, kuvatora nekuvaendesa kuchi-patara.
"Kuna Amai Takawira chinhu chairwadza kuti havana kuziviswa kuti murume wavo airwara kana kuti akanga atofa.
"Amai Takawira havana kudzokera shure panyaya dzekurwira rusununguko kusvika tawana kuzvitonga," President Mugabe said.
After independence in 1980, President Mugabe said, Government recognised Mai Takawira’s contribution to the struggle and honoured her with a Senate seat.
"As a senator, she continued to look after her family and today is a day to give her the respect she deserves.
"Vanhu vose vanoda kushandira nyika vanofanira kunge vaine chokwadi chokuda nyika yavo, kuishandira nyika vakashinga sekuita kwanga kwakaita Amai Takawira."
Amai Takawira was born on July 2, 1927 in Dube Village under Chief Madhuna in Filabusi, Matabeleland South Province.
A second child and the oldest girl in a family of seven, she grew up in Nkayi and was educated at Hope Fountain Mission.
She trained as a nurse at Mnene Mission Hospital in Mberengwa and on graduation worked at Gokwe Mission.
In 1955, she joined Harare Central Hospital and was among the pioneer nurses in the Casualty and Outpatients Department.
She married Cde Takawira that year and beca-me a stepmother to his six children.
Amai Takawira had three children — Samuel Hamandishe, Leo Tafirenyika and Gertrude Ratidzo.
Amai Takawira died on Wednesday from complications arising from a surgical operation.
She was 82.
Amai Takawira is survived by two of her children — Samuel Hamandishe and Gertrude — and eight grandchildren.
Present at the funeral were the two Vice Presidents Joice Mujuru and John Nkomo, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his deputies Arthur Mutambara and Thokozani Khupe, Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku, Senate President Edna Madzongwe, Cabinet ministers, Zanu-PF Politburo members, parliamentarians, service chiefs and Deputy Harare Mayor Mr Emmanuel Chiroto. |
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