By Jeremiah Gora
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, His Excellency Cde. E.D. Mnangagwa, has described the late National Hero, Major General (Rtd) Everisto Dzihwema, as a man who selflessly served our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe, with unflinching patriotism, professionalism, dedication, and exemplary leadership.
Speaking during the burial of Major General (Rtd) Dzihwema at the National Heroes’ Acre today, President Mnangagwa said the decorated liberation war veteran and retired military officer devoted his entire life to serving Zimbabwe both in the armed struggle and after Independence.
“The late National Hero was a veteran of the Liberation Struggle, a distinguished cadre and officer in the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, who upon retirement was deployed as a senior officer in Government. He selflessly served our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe, with unflinching patriotism, professionalism, dedication, and exemplary leadership,” said President Mnangagwa.
Major General (Rtd) Dzihwema died on June 25, 2026, at the age of 63 following a short illness.
The President, speaking on behalf of the people and Government of Zimbabwe, ZANU PF, his family and himself, extended condolences to Amai Dzihwema and the bereaved family.
“We share our prayers with the bereaved family during this difficult period. I urge you to take comfort from the fact that the nation grieves with you. We acknowledge and honour the footprints he leaves behind, of consistent and persistent wholehearted service,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the late National Hero joined the liberation struggle in 1978 at the age of 16 after experiencing racial discrimination and brutality at the hands of the colonial regime, adding that he became one of the fearless fighters who sacrificed their youth for Zimbabwe’s independence.
“The late National Hero will be remembered as a disciplined and fearless cadre, who displayed the highest levels of bravery during operations,” he said.
Following Independence, Major General (Rtd) Dzihwema rose through the ranks of the Zimbabwe National Army, serving in finance, procurement, human resources and quartermaster services before attaining the rank of Major General.
After retiring from the military, he continued serving in senior Government positions, including as Chief Director responsible for War Veterans Affairs.
President Mnangagwa said the late National Hero’s distinguished military and public service earned him several honours, including the Liberation Medal, Independence Medal, Long and Exemplary Service Medal, Mozambique Campaign Medal, Democratic Republic of Congo Campaign Medal and the Commander of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit Award.
Calling on Zimbabweans to emulate the late hero, President Mnangagwa said, “I urge the nation, in particular the young generation, to take a leaf from the exemplary life of the late National Hero Major General (Rtd) Dzihwema who distinguished himself through unparalleled discipline, sacrifice, hard work and a fierce commitment to the ethos of the liberation struggle.”
He added that the late Major General’s “deeds of merit and outstanding life of service will remain immortalised in our national memory,” describing him as a leader whose patriotism, loyalty, honesty, integrity, humility and exemplary leadership would continue to inspire future generations.
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