The Sunday Mail
Bulawayo Bureau
NATIONAL hero Major-General (Rtd) Sydney “Yengani” Bhebe was among a crop of visionary leaders whose credentials are not questionable, various speakers have said.
Several speakers described Maj-Gen (Rtd) Bhebe as a diligent servant of the nation during a funeral service at his home in Bellevue yesterday.
He died on Monday at the Avenues Clinic in Harare aged 61.
Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo said Maj Gen (Rtd) Bhebe was an intellectual.
“He grew up together with my brother’s son in Masase, Mberengwa, I want people to know that this is an illustrious family in terms of education. When Sydney came back from the war he did not only go to university to study, he studied Mathematics which is very difficult for many people. He comes from a family where education is prioritised.”
Minister Moyo said President Mnangagwa had conferred national hero status to Maj Gen (Rtd) Bhebe without hesitation.
ZANU PF Bulawayo provincial chairperson Cde Jabulani Sibanda told mourners of his liberation diaries with the late fighter.
“I shared the barracks with him during the war in Angola and we were both platoon commanders. When six aero-planes attacked us, I was with him, his name is not Sydney Bhebe to me. He is Yengani, that was his name during the war. Bhebe fought for liberation and unity of the country. He fought a good fight.
Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube said the nation has lost a dedicated cadre who had an unbroken record.
“We want to thank the Government and the President for recognising hard working people who struggled for their country during the liberation war,” Minister Ncube said.
After the memorial service, the national hero’s body was flown to Harare and a church service will be held in Waterfalls today ahead of burial at the National Heroes Acre tomorrow.
