President extols late VP Msika

Farirai MachivenyikaSenior ReporterVICE President Joseph Wilfred Msika, who died 16 years ago, was a fearless campaigner for the country’s independence, sovereignty and development, President Mnangagwa has said.He made the remarks in a statement to commemorate the 16th anniversary of the death of VP Msika on August 4, 2009.“Today, the 4th of August, the nation joins the Msika family in commemorating the 16th anniversary of the demise of the late veteran freedom fighter and nationalist, national hero and former Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Comrade Joseph Wilfred Msika.“A fearless campaigner for the Independence, sovereignty and development of Zimbabwe. His death, falling in the month in which we celebrate the legacy of our heroes and heroines fortifies our resilience against neo-colonial machinations and strengthens our sense of national pride and self-respect,” President Mnangagwa said.He said the late VP Msika was steadfast in his fight against colonial rule until the country attained its independence.“The prominent nationalist fought colonial subjugation and racial discrimination and never relented until the birth of Zimbabwe as an independent and sovereign nation in 1980.“He played a crucial role in the recruitment of cadres to join liberation war training camps within the region and in other foreign lands. His generation of fearless cadres shook the colonial regime and earned our nationalist movement the respect of our sub-region, the continent and the rest of the world,” the President said.President Mnangagwa said the memory of the late VP, popularly known as “Bruno” remains entrenched in the nation’s mind and spirit.“The values of selflessness, unity, peace, freedom and honesty which he exuded should be emulated by all Zimbabweans in furtherance of the spirit of nation-building as they contribute towards the socio-economic development agenda.“Our youths as the vanguard generation of the future must nurture these values in pursuit of the legacy bequeathed to them by the fallen heroes.

Let us continue to love our identity, culture, ethos, our country and respect ‘Ubuntu’ as envisioned by our forebears.“As our nation remembers one of its foremost liberators and cultural icon, we stand united in the beliefs and ideals he fought for in our efforts to bring about socio-economic transformation and the attainment of Vision 2030 of an empowered, knowledge, and technology-driven upper-middle income society,” President Mnangagwa said.The President said VP Msika and his compatriots fought for the country’s sacred land and urged the present generations to get land and fully utilise it.“As we remember those who laid their lives for Zimbabwe, let us pledge to be custodians of the land they loved so much by being productive through smart climate-proofed agriculture.“May the soul of our dear departed Comrade Joseph Wilfred Msika and all heroes and heroines whom we shall be commemorating next week rest in eternal peace,” President Mnangagwa said.Share on FacebookPost on XFollow usSave

Originally published on Zimbabwe Herald

Source: Zimbabwe Herald