By Wezhira Munya
Today, in a solemn yet poignant ceremony, thousands of Zimbabweans gathered to remember the life of Zodwa Khumalo Dabengwa, the beloved wife of the late liberation hero Dumiso Dabengwa. Mrs. Dabengwa, who passed away on June 12, 2023 after a brave battle with cancer, was honored for her unwavering commitment to Zimbabwe’s freedom and her tireless efforts in supporting her husband’s work during the liberation struggle.
The memorial service, held in the rural community of Ntabazinduna at the Dabengwa family homestead, was attended by a host of dignitaries, including key lieutenants of President Nelson Chamisa. President Chamisa’s lieutenants, who attended this memorial service include, Hon. Gift Ostallos Siziba, as well as Bulawayo-based Hon. Eric Gono, Hon. Pashor, Hon. Makhaza, hon. Tendai Masotsha and Councilor Shepherd Sithole, paid tribute to the life and legacy of Mrs. Dabengwa.
In his address, Hon. Siziba eloquently spoke about the profound impact Zodwa Dabengwa had on the nation. “Today, we gather to celebrate the life of Zodwa Dabengwa, the late wife of the renowned Zipra intelligence chief, Dumiso Dabengwa. This afternoon, at the memorial in Ntabazinduna, friends, family, politicians, and Africans have come together to honor Mama Zodwa Khumalo Dabengwa’s contributions to our country. She was a kind and soft-spoken individual who always offered wise counsel to young people in politics.”
Siziba’s words echoed the sentiments of many including family, church members, politicians and community members who knew Mrs. Dabengwa, a woman described as a pillar of strength and a guiding light for the younger generation. Her husband, Dumiso Dabengwa, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 79, was also honored as a national hero and laid to rest in his rural home in Ntabazinduna.
The memorial service was a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by Zimbabwe’s freedom fighters and their families. As hon. Siziba aptly stated, “We must build on the legacy of those who came before us and complete the unfinished business of the liberation struggle.”
In the face of ongoing challenges and the oppression of the Zimbabwean people by the corrupt ZANU-PF regime, the presence of President Chamisa’s lieutenants at the memorial service was a gesture of solidarity and a promise to carry on the fight for a better Zimbabwe.
As the sun set over the rolling hills of Ntabazinduna, the gathered community bid farewell to Zodwa Khumalo Dabengwa, a woman whose life was intertwined with the struggle for Zimbabwe’s independence. Her memory, and that of her husband, will continue to inspire the nation to strive for the freedom and justice they so courageously fought for.
