Late national hero Highten Nkomo’s life was inspirational: President Mnangagwa

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The late National Hero, Cde Highten Nkomo was laid to lay to rest at the National Heroes Acre today lived an inspirational life, President Mnangagwa said,

Cde Nkomo passed on a fortnight ago on 14 September 2022 at his homestead in the Bengo area of Gwanda in Matabeleland South Province.

The President said “Cde Billy Mazamo” as he was known during the war, was a distinguished patriot, freedom fighter, and one of the pioneering veterans of the liberation struggle and described his loss as a huge blow to the nation.

“His early conviction to fight for the liberation of our country and defend its ideals, at a time when the racist white settler regime seemed indomitable, will forever be cherished by generations to come. On behalf of the Government, the ZANU PF Party, the nation, my family, and indeed myself, I wish to express my sincere condolences to the Nkomo family for this sad loss.

“In Cde Nkomo, we have lost an epitome of patriotism, a commander and dedicated cadre who remained loyal to our Party and country throughout his entire life. I exhort the Nkomo Family to take comfort from the knowledge that your loss is keenly felt by the whole nation, to whose service, he sacrificed and immensely contributed,” President Mnangagwa said.

President Mnangagwa revealed that Cde Highten Nkomo was born in Lusaka on 12th January 1952 to Zimbabwean parents who relocated to Zambia after being forced off their land in Tsholotsho by the settler regime. He then set foot in the then Rhodesia later as a freedom fighter, having had no option but to resort to the use of arms to re-claim his birthright. Our departed National Hero was the firstborn in a family of eleven. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Nkomo, three children, and a grandson.