Speaking to The Zimbabwean, most villagers said it was an opportunity for the district to once again celebrate the exemplary life of the late nationalist icon.
Artwell Chingwara from Rimbi said the memorial service showed the general agreement that the late Sithole was a hero.
“He was denied the opportunity to be buried at the heroes acre but to the people of Chipinge, he will forever be a hero,” Chingwara said.
Another teacher at Madhuku Primary School in Chipinge South constituency, Dexter Madhodha praised the initiative, which he said, meant that Chipinge had been recognized.
“For so many years, we always questioned ourselves, if we have something distinguishing us from the rest of Zimbabweans because of the kind of treatment we always got from politicians,” Madhodha said.
A community elder in Chibuwe, Musikavanhu constituency, Phainos Bote, who named his first son after the late revolutionary fighter, said he is grateful for the recognition the MDC is giving to Sithole.
“I am personally elated for the initiative, Sithole is our greatest hero and whoever wishes to get Chipinge vote, he should accept that musharuka is our father,” he said
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Bote further called for the introduction of the Ndabaningi Sithole day in Chipinge.
“We can set a day to commemorate and celebrate his illustrious life,” Bote added.
Edmore Hlatywayo who is Ndonga’s district chairperson for Chipinge West Constituency praised the spirit of remembering fallen heroes especially Sithole.
“It is almost impossible to talk about Chipinge without mentioning his name; he is part of our history as the ndau people
“As Zanu Ndonga we are pleased with the commitment and respect the MDC has shown to Sithole,” Hlatywayo said.
The memorial service which will be held this Saturday at the late Sithole’s Freedom Farm in Mt Selinda- Chipinge is a joint initiative of the MDC and Zanu Ndonga.
Sithole was born in 1920 and was the founding leader of Zanu in 1963 when the party was formed at former Defence minister Enos Nkala’s house in Highfield, Harare.
Sithole was later elbowed out of the party after falling out of favour with President Robert Mugabe. In 1987, he went into self-imposed exile in the United States fearing for his life but returned in 1991 to lead Zanu-Ndonga. He died in 2000 from a heart ailment in USA.
Post published in: News