President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called on Zimbabweans to emulate the exemplary lives of the late National Heroes, Retired Major General Richard Ruwodo during the burial of Major General (Rtd) Ruwodo at the National Heroes Acre in Harare today.
President Mnangagwa extended his condolences to the bereaved families and paid tribute to the two distinguished Zimbabweans, saying they had left an enduring legacy of patriotism, professionalism and national service.
“Our prayers and sympathies are with you during this solemn and difficult period. He was a gallant Son of the Soil who devoted his life to wholeheartedly serve our motherland, Zimbabwe, with unwavering patriotism, immense honour and professionalism,” President Mnangagwa said of the late Major General Ruwodo.
The President said Ruwodo belonged to a generation of courageous freedom fighters whose sacrifices secured Zimbabwe’s independence, adding that while the nation continued to lose liberation war stalwarts, younger generations were rising to preserve and advance the ideals they fought for.
“We remain grateful for the role they played for us to be where we are today. However, we are emboldened by the new crop of young heroes and heroines who are emerging and taking up the mantle to carry forward the ideals of the liberation struggle as we build our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe,” he said.
President Mnangagwa recounted Ruwodo’s journey from Mutasa in Manicaland Province, where he was born in 1954, to joining the liberation struggle in 1975 after leaving a promising career at Bata Shoe Company.
“Known during the war as Cde Moshe Pwititi, Ruwodo received military training in Mozambique before serving in the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA).
Following Independence, Ruwodo became the first black Director of Zimbabwe National Army Pay and Records and played a key role in strengthening professionalism, accountability, transparency and human capital development within the Zimbabwe National Army,” he added
The President said Ruwodo’s distinguished service earned him several national honours, including the Liberation Medal, Independence Medal, Long and Exemplary Service Medal and the Grand Officer of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit Award.
After retiring from the military in 2008, he continued serving as Principal Director responsible for War Veterans, where he championed improved welfare for liberation war veterans.
President Mnangagwa also honoured the late Professor Chinyanga, describing him as a pioneering physician whose contributions revolutionised anaesthesia, specialist medical training and healthcare delivery in Zimbabwe.
“The life history of the late Professor Chinyanga is an epitaph of patriotism, integrity, humility, professional excellence and selfless service,” he said.
The President highlighted how Professor Chinyanga returned from an accomplished international medical career to establish Zimbabwe’s first postgraduate anaesthetics programmes at the University of Zimbabwe, mentor generations of specialists and contribute to the establishment of medical schools at the National University of Science and Technology and Midlands State University.
President Mnangagwa urged professionals across all sectors to emulate the two National Heroes by applying their expertise to national development.
“Under my Administration, all areas of specialisation, fields of work and professions remain critical assets and tools at the nation’s disposal for building, modernising and industrialising our nation.
Through our own collective efforts, the future of our country is bright and Vision 2030 is becoming a reality,” he said.
Concluding his address, the President said the nation saluted the two distinguished Zimbabweans for their unwavering dedication.
“You did your part and showed the way. Today, the nation, from Plumtree to Mutare and Chirundu to Beitbridge, salutes you for your impeccable records of dedicated professionalism and hard work in the Army and Medical field,”he said.
