The Sunday Mail
Tendai Chirau
THE ugly spectre of death continues to rear its head among us, with Covid-19 becoming its cruel dark angel in these troubled times.
Once again, the ZANU PF Youth League, in sorrow most deep, extends words of condolence to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde ED Mnangagwa, the Nyikayaramba family and the rest of the nation on the untimely passing on of Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique, His Excellency Lieutenant-General Douglas Nyikayaramba (Rtd).
Cde Douglas Nyikayaramba joined the liberation struggle as a youth in 1977, defying the limitations of age to heroically offer his life for the independence of Zimbabwe.
The attainment of Independence in 1980 saw him continue serving his country and the newly integrated Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) with commendable competence and unstinting loyalty.
Cde Nyikayaramba epitomised an uncommon class of soldier who would never shirk from challenges, as he distinguished himself in both military and civilian engagements with equanimity.
He was an expert on civil-military relations.
He excelled even in civilian assignments, testimony to his top-notch adaptational and organisational acumen.
A patriot to the marrow, his well-known bravery and principled stance was indeed to eventually earn him an ambassadorial appointment.
Returning to Mozambique, the country in which he received his enduring ideological and military discipline and training, Cde Nyikayaramba had now grown into a prized asset of the Second Republic, safeguarding our national strategic interests on the diplomatic front.
As young people, we grieve because we have lost a mentor in national development tradecraft.
We grieve sorely because we have been robbed of a role model in the values of humility, fearlessness in the face of adversity, loyalty and dependability.
As ZANU PF Youth League, we pledge to emulate Cde Nyikayaramba, undoubtedly a soldier at heart who always remembered that once upon a time, he was a youth in need of opportunities and a chance to shine.
His contribution to the development of Nhakiwa Vocational Training Centre in Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe, among many other youth empowerment initiatives nationwide, stands as an enduring memento and monument to his selfless commitment to the development of communities and their young people.
Once again, we express our profound sorrow. It is quite devastating that we should lose such a gallant son of the soil to the Covid-19 plague. We enjoin the bereaved family and friends to take solace in the fact that their loss is mutually and acutely shared.
The nation has lost a true hero. May his dear soul rest in the peace of the Almighty.
We take heart in the faith we have in God and our able leadership.
Covid-19 is conquerable.
◆ Cde Tendai Chirau is ZANU PF’s Acting Secretary for Youth Affairs.
