The Sunday Mail
Revered nationalist and former Cabinet minister Dr Nathan Shamuyarira, who died in Harare last Wednesday, was buried at the National Heroes’ Acre yesterday with thousands of Zimbabweans from diverse backgrounds paying their last respects.
There was thunderous applause from the terraces as the casket bearing the nationalist arrived at the shrine where Zanu-PF supporters, diplomats as well as the general populace gathered to witness the final lap of one of the country’s fine liberators.
Addressing mourners, President Mugabe described Dr Shamuyarira as a selfless hero with the wishes of the people at heart.
The President narrated the journey he travelled with Dr Shamuyarira, from their bachelorhood up to Independence, describing the National Hero as diligent and principled.
He implored Zanu-PF leaders to remain humble and guided by the principles and ideology of the party.
“What are your principles? The principles are that we fought in order to liberate our country. You do not fight to kill people. You fight rationally, killing the enemy.
“We have to see that the majority of our people are freed. The people will become your water and you are the fish. The ideology must be people-oriented. Kuda zvinangwa zveruzhinji kwete kuzvisimudzira pachedu.
“So, we are prepared to die to achieve the goal of the liberation of our people. That is why those who were outside the country, the young ones, went to Mgagao. That is why the young ones, who, after leaving universities, came to join us in the struggle.
“Those who lie here were members of the struggle who sacrificed themselves whether they fought under Zapu or Zanla, vaitsigira hondo zvakakwana. They were leaders, outside leaders. They are the ones who lie here, kwete zvitototo.”
The President said those who differed during the struggle remained united on the major principle of liberating the country. He said Dr Shamuyarira was always people-oriented.
“Kwete kunzvengesa musangano or vanhu sebhora. Izvo ndezvekubhora izvo.
“Here, we are straightforward. We tell the people what we stand for. We tell the people that we must be united, we must organise our people to exploit our own resources.
“That is our struggle. That is why the party has policies that Government adopts in order to reach the demands of our people. Ndizvo zvatinoda. Your (media) publicity must go in that direction. Let the nation know and let the people be organised.
“Do not plant seeds of dividing the people. Do not make anyone in the party fight.
“You should never be your own enemy and attack others through your own destructive ideology.
“We are fighting the British, the outsiders, who want us to surrender our resources to them.
“Colonisation again, never. Zimbabwe will never be a colony again. Our resources shall never be their resources again.
“Zvenyu ndezvenyu, zvedu ndezveduwo. We must be convinced; we the people of Zimbabwe must believe in ourselves.
“Do you believe in yourself that you are the owners of these resources? Do you believe Zimbabwe is yours?’’
President Mugabe also narrated Dr Shamuyarira’s history in journalism and the liberation struggle.
He said although the National Hero was, at one point, part of a small party known as Frolizi, he later explained that he left the political outfit after disagreeing with his colleagues, among them Charles Chikerema.
“Taungana pano zvakare tichiunganidzwa negamba, gamba guru rinembiri huru, gamba ratakaona richifamba nesu pahupenyu hwaro.
“Takataura zvakati wande pamusoro pegamba iri, Nathan Shamuyarira, achasevenza mumapepa, ndokuzopinda kwaakazoita muparty, mustruggle medu, kuzoenda kwaakazoita kunze kwenyika, kuvamba kwavakazoita Dare reChimurenga nanaChitepo kuLusaka, party dzave mbiri Zapu neZanu; kusiyana kwaakazoita nokuti struggle yedu yaingoti apa mabudirira apa dzimwe nguva morwisana.
“Ipapo ndipo pakamboitika kakudzikira pasi kwatingati kwestruggle yedu, hondo yeChimurenga.”
Also speaking at the burial, family representative Mr Lovemore Chihota described Dr Shamuyarira as a towering intellectual figure.
“There are three things that stand out in my mind as epitomising and leave a living legacy.
“Firstly, his abiding love for education and knowledge not only for himself but for others around him.
“He was convinced that education is the strongest weapon to fight ignorance and poverty.
“Secondly, Nathan displayed extraordinary humility.
“Although he was a towering intellectual figure he never lost touch with the so-called man in the street. Because of this, in his public life he was always surrounded by people of all social and economic standing seeking his compassion and guidance.
“Thirdly, the gentlemen lying before us here embodied integrity. His word was his bond.
“You would never doubt his word.”
Earlier in the morning, thousands of Zimbabweans had thronged Stodart Hall in Mbare to also pay their last respects to the nationalist.
Crowds gathered at the hall at as early as 8am while others lined the streets in the suburb.
President Mugabe led the body-viewing session with Cabinet ministers, service chiefs and family following through.
