Own Correspondent|South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent a special condolence message on the death of opposition ZAPU leader Dr Dumiso Dabengwa describing him as a hero of the world and a true revolutionary.
The ANC delegation that was standing in for Ramaphosa at the burial of Dabengwa at his Manxeleni home in Ntabazinduna and led by Minister of State Security Ayanda Dlodlo described Dr Dabengwa as a true child of Africa, a son of the soil and commander.
“We are here to bury a son of the soil, the commander of Southern Africa revolutionary struggle, a child of Africa, the defender of the rights of those that are down trodden, the defender of the revolution of the people of South Africa and a child of the world,” said President Ramaphosa in a speech read on his behalf by Minister Dlodlo.
President Ramaphosa said Dr Dabengwa was a hero not only of the Zimbabwean people and the liberation struggle but was a hero of South Africa too.
“He is a hero of the world, his name will relive through the skies of Africa it will run and flow through the rivers of our respective countries – Limpopo River, it will shine like the sun that always rises in the east and set in the west,” said President Ramaphosa.
The South African President described Dr Dabengwa as, “a hero that none of us should have the luxury to forget”.
He paid special tribute to the family for having involved the people of South Africa and Zimbabwe as they prepared to lay a hero to rest.
“Special emphasis goes to those that fought with him in the battles in Sipolilo and this is the battle that crafted the history and umbilical cord between the people of Zimbabwe and the people of South Africa and for that we pay special tribute.
“We are nations that speak the same language, our cultures are the same let us remember and solidify the relationship between the two countries and between the two peoples that were fought for by Dr Dabengwa. That is history that should never be undermined, a history that should never be edited; his name must remain in the history books of both countries,” he said.
Lieutenant-General Gilbert Ramano a veteran of the South African liberation struggle also sung praises for Dr Dabengwa.
“I had the opportunity of serving under the command and leadership of Cde Dabengwa, he was a commander who was special, and he was a political military commander. He understood the struggle of the people of Zimbabwe and South Africa. It was an opportunity for me to be under a man of this calibre.
“He knew the whole front line all the way to Beira. And as a foot soldier myself, I can say he was involved in all aspects. He was brave and fearless but very kind and humble,” he said.
Shelly Brown who spoke on behalf of Umkhonto WeSizwe Military Veterans’ Association (MKMVA) said they were honoured to be in Zimbabwe for the burial of their fellow soldier.
“Cde Dabengwa shared the trenches with most of the veterans in the liberation struggle. It was therefore with a deep sense of loss and sadness that (MKMVA) received the devastating news of Cde Dabengwa’s death. We honour and recognise him as one of the greatest sons of Zimbabwe both in the position as the President of Zapu and as a former Zipra chief of intelligence,” she said.
“It was in the latter capacity that blood ties of revolutionary solidarity were formed between Cde Dabengwa and MKMVA.
“As committed as he was to the liberation of Zimbabwe he was similarly committed to secure the liberation of the people of South Africa.
“He was a true Pan-Africanist. Cde Dabengwa was never an armchair revolutionary, he lived out his unwavering commitment on the battle front.
“He lead from the front and was prepared to face the enemy and faced danger and potential death with his fellow soldiers. Cde Dabengwa never created parallel structures, even severe provocation never allowed political wounds inflicted on him as an individual to influence his understanding of the revolution and his commitment to unity,” she said.
Dr Dabengwa died on Thursday last week in Nairobi Kenya on his way back to Zimbabwe from India where he had gone to get treatment on a long kidney ailment.
Source: State Media