“A Freedom Fighter Par Excellence”: President Mnangagwa’s Tribute to Mugabe’s Enduring Impact
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has paid tribute to the late former President Robert Gabriel Mugabe, describing him as a fearless nationalist who championed the liberation and empowerment of Zimbabweans and the African continent.
In a statement issued yesterday to mark the anniversary of Mugabe’s death on September 6, 2019, His Excellency affirmed that the founding leader’s policies restored dignity and resilience to the people of Zimbabwe in the face of Western-imposed sanctions.
The Head of State credited Mugabe’s transformative programmes—particularly the Land Reform and indigenisation initiatives with instilling self-belief among Zimbabweans.
“His undying quest to economically empower indigenous farmers and to transform the lives of all Zimbabweans saw him implement various indigenisation and economic empowerment programmes which gave back Zimbabweans their self-belief and respect, thus building the resilience to overcome illegal sanctions imposed on the country,” he stated.
The Zimbabwean leader emphasized that Mugabe’s leadership was rooted in the protection of human rights and the pursuit of equity.
“The late President’s renowned political astuteness and zeal for social, economic and political empowerment of Zimbabwe’s indigenous people impelled him to champion the Land Reform Programme, which addressed historical land ownership imbalances emanating from the colonial era,” he noted.
According to the Sunday Mail, the President remarked that Mugabe’s influence extended far beyond Zimbabwe’s borders. He described him as a “frontline statesman” who played a pivotal role in the liberation of Southern Africa and the advancement of Pan-African ideals.
“A freedom fighter par excellence and veteran nationalist, the late Cde RG Mugabe was a revered frontline statesman who fearlessly championed the political and economic emancipation of Southern Africa and our continent of Africa,” he declared.
His Excellency placed Mugabe among a distinguished group of African liberation icons, including Julius Nyerere, Jomo Kenyatta, Kenneth Kaunda, Samora Machel, Agostino Neto, Sam Nujoma, Joshua Nkomo and Nelson Mandela.
“True to his stature, Cde Mugabe dedicated his life to fighting apartheid, promotion of Pan-Africanist ideals and African renaissance and to encouraging solidarity and commitment for the development of Africa and the downtrodden, disenfranchised masses of the world,” he emphasized.
The President also acknowledged Mugabe’s personal sacrifices during the liberation struggle, including his 11-year imprisonment under the colonial regime.
In recognition of his contributions, the Zimbabwean leader highlighted that the Second Republic introduced a National Honours and Awards category in Mugabe’s name, designed to celebrate achievements in human capital development.
“As we remember our late President, the Second Republic once again rededicates itself to preserving the legacy of Cde RG Mugabe by winding up the successful National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and preparing for NDS2, guided by the goal to have a society that is free, democratic and prosperous, ensuring no one and no place is left behind through inclusive development,” the Head of State affirmed.
He concluded with a reaffirmation of Mugabe’s timeless declaration:
“We commit to the revolutionary icon’s enduring refrain that Zimbabwe will never be a colony again, a mantra which finds expression in our national guiding philosophy of ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo!’”
“May the soul of the late great freedom fighter and liberator, veteran nationalist, frontline statesman, Pan-Africanist, champion of political and economic liberation of Africa, and a luminary leader, rest in eternal peace,” His Excellency declared.
