The ManicaPost
Cletus Mushanawani News Editor
PUBLIC servants must be accountable to the people of Zimbabwe, while the basic values and principles that govern public administration must be promoted for the realisation of Vision 2030 and ultimately the improvement of the quality of our lives, President Mnangagwa has said.
Speaking at the burial of a stalwart, Dr Christopher Chindoti Mushohwe at the National Heroes’ Acre in Harare yesterday (Thursday), President Mnangagwa said the rising of the late national hero through the ranks in Government was testament of Dr Mushohwe’s hard work, integrity and loyalty.
“Our bureaucracy across ministries, departments and agencies are called upon to emulate the footprints of the late national hero. We are a Government of the people, by the people and for the people. Under the Second Republic, delivering on the aspirations and welfare of our people remains our unwavering commitment.
“Our public servants must, therefore, be accountable to the people of our great motherland, Zimbabwe. The basic values and principles that govern public administration, including high standards of professional ethics, probity as well as efficient and economical use of State resources, must be promoted for the realisation of Vision 2030 and ultimately improving the quality of our people,” said President Mnangagwa.
Dr Mushohwe, who was the executive director of the Presidential National Scholarship Programme, died on Monday after a long illness and was declared a national hero.
His body was on Wednesday flown to his Chindoti Village in Marange where locals were given a chance to bid farewell to the man who worked tirelessly for the development of Mutare District and Manicaland at large, as well as changed the lives of thousands of people through the Presidential Scholarship Programme.
Cde Mushohwe held various portfolios during his long career as a civil servant and Cabinet minister.
National hero, Dr Christopher Chindoti Mushohwe is taken to his final resting place at the National Heroes’ Acre in Harare yesterday. Thousands thronged the national shrine to bid farewell to the stalwart who made a huge impact in promoting national development.
He worked as principal executive officer (Comptroller of the Prime Minister’s household), as well as director of State Residences in the Office of the President and Cabinet.
In recognition of Dr Mushohwe’s strong leadership qualities, he was elected as Member of Parliament for Mutare West in 2005.
After losing the seat in 2008, he reclaimed it in 2013 due to his hard work in the constituency.
He was also elected into the ruling party’s Central Committee before being appointed to the Politburo as secretary for economic affairs.
Cde Mushohwe also served as Manicaland Provincial Governor, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister as well as Information and Publicity Minister, before being appointed Executive Director for the Presidential Scholarship programme.
His personal growth also show the confidence that the ruling party and Government had in his abilities.
President Mnangagwa said as Information and Publicity Minister, Dr Mushohwe encouraged the media to unite to fight for national interests.
“As we accelerate our national socio-economic development and more immediately prepare for the upcoming harmonised general elections, I call upon the media to be responsible and always seek to unite the people of our great country.
“This is the only Zimbabwe that we have. This is our motherland and media practitioners must never sell our birthright for a few pieces of silver.
“The nation has indeed lost a key stalwart and a loyal cadre whose rich ideas that drove national growth will be sorely missed,” said President Mnangagwa.
He added: “As we bid our national hero, Dr Mushohwe farewell, I challenge Zimbabweans, both locally and abroad, to draw inspiration and be guided by his exemplary qualities, which included simplicity, humility, sociability, integrity, dedication to hard work and unflinching patriotism.
“To the late Dr Mushohwe, the country and interests of the people of Zimbabwe came first. This is the national character trait that us who remain must continue to nurture and share across our provinces. Our enduring mantra: ‘Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa nevene vayo, Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe ngabanikazi balo’ must reign supreme.
“Going forward, let us continue individually and collectively building a modern, industrialised and prosperous Zimbabwe,” said the President.
Dr Mushohwe is survived by his wife, Mrs Penelope Mushohwe and eight children — Prince, Primrose, Princess, Trevor, Tanya, Anesu, Shawn, Prayer and several grandchildren.
