The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Correspondent
LIBERATION war hero Cde John Munodawafa ‘Gwindingwi’ Gwitira was today laid to rest at Chimanimani District Heroes Acre in Nyanyadzi.
The late liberation war stawart, whose war name was Cde Gwindingwi, passed away on April 27.
He was 72 years old.
Cde Gwitira was born on October 17, 1949 in Nyanyadzi, Chimanimani District.
He went to Nyanyadzi Primary School up to Standard Four before proceeding to Mutambara Mission, also in Chimanimani District, for his Standard Five and Six.
Cde Gwitira then proceded to Mt Selinda Mission in Chipinge for Form One and Two.
In 1964, his father was arrested and put under restriction at Whawha Prison where the young John got his first political orientation during visits to see him.
After causing political havoc during his secondary school days in Chipinge and later at Chibero Agricultural College where he had enrolled for his tertiary education, Cde Gwitira was expelled.
He decided to join the liberation struggle in 1970.
During training at Mgagao in Tanzania, Cde Gwitira became a detachment commander.
He also became a member of the General Staff.
On deployment, Cde Gwitira became the first provincial commander for the Chaminuka Sector, while the late national hero and Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander, General Solomon Mujuru was the commander for the Nehanda Sector.
Cde Gwitira was one of the first blacks to train as a pilot in Pakistan in the late 1970s.
At Independence, he joined the Air Force of Zimbabwe as an Operations Training Commander and Flight Technical Officer.
In 1992, he became the Director of Manicaland Development Association responsible for socio-economic development.
He was also a farmer at Laverstock Farm in Mutasa.
Speaking during the burial, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister and Senator for Mutare South, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, said Cde Gwitira was a courageous and patriotic cadre who was proud of being African.
“He was a loving person who had love for everyone. He was a beloved son in Chimanimani and beyond as he contributed to the liberation struggle of this nation. He is part of Zimbabwe’s history and that should be chronicled and documented.
“Cde Gwitira was a lot of people’s source of inspiration and it is evidenced by the number of people here. The multitudes you see here have come from across the country to bury him because he was a smart man who was humble, full of wisdom and loved his country. I trust that his widow, Monica Gwitira will continue to get support from friends and family and we pray that the Lord will continue to give her strength and hope to move on from this dark hour,” she said.
Sen Mutsvangwa went on to preach unity among war veterans, and urged those present to shun division and factionalism.
“Let us unite as war veterans as we did during the liberation struggle. We fought for this country, and many of us died but that did not deter us from our goal of attaining our freedom. We should shun factionalism as it undermines what we fought for,” she said.
Zimbabwe War Veterans Association Chairperson and Zanu-PF spokesperson Ambassador Chris Mutsvangwa expressed his profound condolences to the Gwitira family.
He said Cde Gwitira’s death was a huge blow and an irreplaceable loss not only to his family but to the party and the nation at large.
“It is sad that one of our fellow cadres who fought for the liberation of this country has passed on. It, however, is my hope that his principles and dedication, hard work and loyalty will continue to guide you.
“He fought for the opportunities that you and I are enjoying today in a free Zimbabwe,” said Ambassador Mutsvangwa.
He said Cde Gwitira’s participation in the liberation struggle was unquestionable and that it was in that regard that President Munangagwa, the Government and party saw it befitting to accord him a liberation war hero status.
The late Cde Gwitira’s sister, Petudzai Gwitira described him as a dedicated family man.
She also thanked family and friends for giving her brother a befitting burial.
She described the deceased as a hero to his family and the nation.
“He earned being called a hero as his works within the family and towards the development of the nation proved it. We want to thank the Lord because of my brother’s life.
“Ever since our father died in 2009, he has been the family head and has been protecting us. His loss is not only felt by us as a family, but the nation at large. My brother lived a life in which he struggled for this country so that everyone had a comfortable life.
“Thank you family and friends for taking your time to come from across the world to lay our beloved father, brother and husband to rest. Thank you for your love,” she said.
