By Jeremiah Gora
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has described the late National Hero Cde Edward Raradza as a servant-leader whose tenure in Parliament was defined by tangible grassroots development programmes that strengthened agricultural capacity and benefited small-scale farmers, including women’s cooperatives across the country.
President Mnangagwa made the remarks today at the burial of Cde Raradza at the National Heroes’ Acre in Harare, where he paid tribute to the former Muzarabani South legislator, nationalist, farmer, industrialist, miner and spiritual leader.
The President said Cde Raradza, who served as a Member of Parliament for Muzarabani South between 2008 and 2013, remained focused on improving the livelihoods of communities through practical development initiatives.
“As a servant-leader, his tenure in Parliament was defined by tangible, grassroots development programmes and projects.
“He helped develop modern agriculture capacities that directly benefitted small-scale farmers, including women cooperatives across Muzarabani South,” President Mnangagwa said.
President Mnangagwa said Cde Raradza’s contribution to Zimbabwe extended beyond politics, noting his significant role in agriculture, mining and industrial development.
He described the late National Hero as a key player in the country’s agricultural revolution, highlighting his achievements as a tobacco, cotton and livestock farmer, as well as his leadership roles in the Zimbabwe Farmers Union.
Cde Raradza’s livestock production earned him the National Farmer Award of Excellence at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show in 2003 and 2004.
The President also credited him with contributing to the early stages of agricultural mechanisation through efforts to import machinery and equipment from China under the Government’s Look East Policy.
In the mining sector, President Mnangagwa said Cde Raradza broke new ground by establishing Zambezi Gas-Zimbabwe Private Limited, becoming the first black Zimbabwean to establish, own and operate a large-scale coal mining company.
He said the company had grown into a major supplier of coal to the country’s electricity generation plants, while creating employment and supporting communities.
President Mnangagwa further paid tribute to Cde Raradza’s political contribution, tracing his involvement in the nationalist struggle to the 1960s and noting his detention by the Rhodesian Special Branch in 1977.
Following Independence in 1980, Cde Raradza continued serving ZANU PF in various leadership positions, including as Branch Chairman in Chitungwiza, Political Commissar for Malbereign and District Chairman for Hwata in Centenary.
His loyalty to the ruling party culminated in his election to the ZANU PF Central Committee in 2008, a position he held until his death.
President Mnangagwa also highlighted Cde Raradza’s spiritual leadership, saying he was ordained as a Bishop in the African Apostolic Church in 2022 under the late National Hero Archbishop Paul Mwazha.
He said the late National Hero’s life demonstrated the importance of cooperation between the Church and State in promoting patriotism, integrity, discipline, hard work and social cohesion.
Cde Raradza died in Harare on September 4, 2026, and was declared a National Hero in recognition of his service to Zimbabwe.
President Mnangagwa described his death as a major loss to the nation, ZANU PF and the various sectors in which he made a lasting contribution.
He urged Zimbabweans to emulate the late National Hero’s patriotism, loyalty, hard work and commitment to national development.
“Go well Cde Edward Raradza; go well Son of the Soil; go well our pioneering Industrialist. Zorora murugare Gamba remaGamba. Lala ngokuthula Qhawe lama Qhawe,” President Mnangagwa said.
