The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
President Mnangagwa has described the late Vice President and national hero Dr Simon Vengai Muzenda as a respected politician who did not hesitate to rebuke and speak against those who sought to perpetuate the colonial legacy.
In a statement on Tuesday, commemorating the life of Dr Muzenda who died on this day in 2003, President Mnangagwa said the late VP’s outstanding role during the liberation war rightfully earned him the title ‘Soul of the Nation’.
“Our nation this week, commemorates the 18th anniversary of the death of veteran freedom fighter and nationalist, our country’s first Deputy Prime Minister and late Vice President, Dr Simon Vengai Muzenda,” he said.
“Revered as the ‘Soul of the Nation’, this characterisation of our liberation stalwart, should serve as a constant reminder to all of us to continue focusing our energies and efforts towards the maintenance of everlasting unity and peace in our country.
“A respected politician among his contemporaries, Dr Mzee, as he was affectionately called, never relented in fighting colonial subjugation or racial discrimination wherever it manifested. He would not hesitate to rebuke and speak against those who sought to perpetuate this backward, retrogressive and divisive colonial legacy.”
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabweans should take a leaf from the life of Dr Muzenda who he said fostered nation-building, socio-economic transformation programs, and international relations.
“Our youths especially, should embrace the values he exuded and espoused so that they too can play leading roles in our communities as change agents for the attainment of our Vision 2030 of an empowered, knowledge and technology-driven upper middle-income society,” said President Mnangagwa.
