ONE of Zimbabwe’s decorated freedom fighters and a member of the General Staff, Retired Major Blessing Matsikenyere, passed away on December 16 and has been buried at his rural home in Chimanimani.
Known by his Chimurenga name, Cde Kingsley Ndorumwa, the late military trainer and General Staff member, was honoured by family, comrades, and the community during his final farewell.
The local community and fellow freedom fighters spoke glowingly about the late liberation war hero, whose contribution to the liberation of the country is outstanding.
“We stayed with Cde Kingsly Matsikenyere at Nyadzonya before going to Mgagao together. We were both selected to be military instructors. After independence, he joined the Zimbabwe National Army,” War Veteran, Cde John Netsiyamwa said.
“This is a sad loss. He was a brave man. During the liberation war, we first met in Mozambique before meeting again in Zimbabwe at Dzapasi Assembly point before integration,” War Veteran, Cde Joseph Chinotimba said.
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Cde Matsikenyere rehabilitated roads, among other works, before he became sick. He withdrew from the race to become a legislator due to health challenges and gave us his wife, Nokuthula Matsikenyere, and we worked with her very well. He was a unifier,” ZANU PF Central Committee Member, Patricia Kudhlande said.
The Matsikenyere family described him as a pillar of strength who left a void difficult to fill, with his wife, Cde Nokuthula Matsikenyere, speaking on his contribution in defending the gains of independence, a position acknowledged by the leadership in government.
“My father was a proud soldier. We want to thank the President for awarding him a liberation war hero status. My father was a jovial person. He was a caring and loving individual who loved his community. He was also very generous,” Family Spokesperson, Tendai Matsikenyere said.
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Cde Matsikenyere fought hard to reclaim the then Chimanimani constituency from the opposition MDC party. He was a businessperson in Bulawayo. He supported Cde Undenge to win the election using his own resources. When he was sick, he supported me to become a legislator. I was then appointed to work in Tanzania, but I did not take the offer in order to take care of my husband. He supported me, and I could not leave her sick. Cde Matsikenyere has been sick since 2010 when he was attacked by a mild stroke due to diabetes and high blood pressure, which resulted in renal failure,” Surviving Spouse, Cde Nokuthula Matsikenyere said.
“As a province, this is a sad loss to the country and the ruling party. He fought to liberate the country, and he was known for helping his community,” Director in the Office of the Minister of State and Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Munyaradzi Rubaya said.
Comrade Matsikenyere was born on December 15, 1955, and joined the liberation struggle in 1975. When he crossed into Mozambique from Mutambara High School, he met Comrade Chris Mutsvangwa and the late Comrade Zororo Duri.
Upon arrival at Zhunda camp in Mozambique, he had his first historic encounter with the late President, Cde Robert Mugabe.
Later, in 1975, he was sent to Tanzania for military training, where he was trained by the likes of Vice President, General Retired Dr Constantino Chiwenga, and the late Air Chief Marshal (Retired) Perrance Shiri.
After training, he was deployed to Tembwe, where he served as a trainer. Comrade Matsikenyere later moved from Mozambique to Zimbabwe to train freedom fighters inside the country.
