The Sunday News
Bruce Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporter
COURAGEOUS, kind and selfless were just a part of the epithet used to describe the late Mrs Zodwa Dabengwa nee Khumalo, widow of national hero Cde Dumiso Dabengwa, with mourners painting a moving picture of a fearless woman who stood steadfastly behind her husband as he fought tooth and nail for his country’s independence.
Mrs Dabengwa, who passed away in the United Kingdom last month at the age of 76 after a protracted battle with illness was laid to rest at Manxeleni in Ntabazinduna, Matabeleland North Province yesterday afternoon in a State-assisted funeral.
During a funeral service held at the Bulawayo Amphitheatre yesterday, Mrs Dabengwa’s profound influence on the country’s political, social and religious fabric was highlighted, as speaker after speaker pointed out her kind-hearted nature and indomitable spirit that had seen her weathering various storms before and after the country’s independence.
In her speech, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube said in her personal and professional life, Mrs Dabengwa had constantly proven to be courageous and of a caring nature.
“The late Mrs Zodwa Dabengwa, has been described as a kind, courageous and fearless woman who stood steadfastly behind her husband through thick and thin, supporting him emotionally and materially as he toiled to free his country from the brutal grip of colonial rule. Mrs Zodwa Dabengwa was a woman of significance who dedicated her life to serve her community and country at large as a State Registered Nurse,” she said.
Minister Ncube described Mrs Dabengwa as a fearless fighter with a never say die attitude, a character trait that had served her well when she and her husband were in the trenches fighting for the country’s independence before she started her long battle with illness.
“To me she was a fighter. We have to remember when she got sick, her husband would accompany her, willing her on to get well. Because of the faith that she had, she got better, and we thought that she had made it. But it was not to be and her husband, who had been taking care of her all this time, passed away. But Sisi Zodwa never gave up, and she continued. I would love to thank her children for taking care of her throughout this time,” she said.
Minister Ncube encouraged those in attendance and Zimbabweans at large to follow the selfless nature of the life led by Mrs Dabengwa if the country was to attain any of its long-term goals.
“As we look forward to hold our harmonised elections next month our President encourages all of us to be peaceful in nature, as he states that we must know that an election comes and goes, so violence will not yield any positive results since after elections we will be brothers and sisters like what we were before. Moreover, Comrades and Friends as we aspire to be an upper middle-income country by 2030 there is a need for all of us to play our part in rebuilding our economy towards the attainment of our Vision, as clearly articulated by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe. On this note, I call upon everyone here present, who has a stake in developmental issues to work hard to build and develop our province and country at large. Today as we lay to rest the widow of the national hero, who demonstrated to us the means to live a purpose filled life, I challenge each and every one of us to desire to live a life of serving others,” she said.
Speaking at the funeral service, Reverend Paul Bayethe Damasane, the Deputy Chief Secretary for Social Services Sector in the Office of the President and Cabinet, said President Mnangagwa had made sure that all the Dabengwa family’s needs were catered for when he was told that Mrs Dabengwa had passed away overseas.
“President Mnangagwa said she was one of us and we were together in the darkest of times, so we needed to help. He said that I should see to it that the family is helped right until the end. That is the message that we were given. Even today, if you did not bring your car, there are a lot of Zupco buses that are available to take you to Ntabazinduna because this is a funeral that is of the utmost importance,” he said.
The Dabengwa family’s spokesperson, Mr Sijabuliso Dabengwa, thanked President Mnangagwa for the help rendered to the family, as the process of repatriating Mrs Dabengwa’s body was long and arduous.
“When we heard that Mrs Dabengwa had passed on we realised that we had a great job ahead of us and so I called Minister Ncube because we needed the Government to assist us. She gave me the cellphone number for Rev Damasane and he said he would come over at the weekend and we could talk about what was needed. Rev Damasane said the President needed the quotations of some of the costs of the services and we provided that. They also asked for the contact numbers of one of the children in the UK so the ambassador could get in touch and they could start the process of repatriating the body. We are therefore grateful for the helping hand extended by the President,” he said.
One of Mrs Dabengwa’s children, Vusisizwe Dabengwa, described his mother as a stickler for discipline and hard work.
“One of the fondest memories that I have about her was discipline. Growing up, that was one thing that stuck out about her, and I think that is evident in the way that we were raised and the way we turned out. Discipline was standard across the board and as her children and grandchildren a lot of us can attest to that,” he said.
Also in attendence were ruling Zanu-PF members who included Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube, war veterans, academics who included Dr Ibbo Mandaza, Zapu members led by national chairman John Zolani Dlamini who addresssed the mourners as well as CCC members led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa, who also addressed the gathering. Churches from various denominations were also in attendance.
Born on November 6, 1947, Mrs Dabengwa was the daughter of Loncanda Samson Khumalo and Janet Ndiweni of Plumtree. She left behind five children, two of whom reside in the United Kingdom, while the others are dispersed across the United States, South Africa, and Botswana. Her unwavering commitment to her faith was deeply rooted in her identity as a devout Christian and integral member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, where her contributions facilitated both the growth of the congregation and the uplifting of the surrounding community.
