ZAPU has questioned why the government did not honour the late Zodwa Dabengwa, wife of late national hero Dumiso Dabengwa, as a national heroine in acknowledgement of her contribution to the country as she and her husband selflessly fought oppression.
Zodwa (75) died of respiratory illness on June 15, 2023, in London.
Although the government paid for her funeral costs and assisted in the burial arrangements, the revolutionary party said MaKhumalo deserved to be officially recognised as a national hero.
ZAPU also expressed regret that, despite having fought for independence, both Dabengwas died outside the country while seeking treatment due to Zimbabwe’s deteriorating healthcare system.
Described as a strong, fearless, God-loving, respectful, humble but courageous steadfast woman by family, friends, neighbours and church mates at her funeral service held at the Amphitheatre in Bulawayo, Saturday, Makhumalo was later last to rest at eManxeleni in Ntabazinduna where her husband was also buried.
ZAPU, the party that MaKhumalo and her husband supported until their deaths, however, chastised the government for its discriminating policies, as the speakers did not mince their words about how Zanu PF had contributed to the suffering of most Zimbabweans.
“You supported our party through thick and thin. You never wavered. When we needed anything, umdala uDD would always say, ‘I will ask uMaKhumalo.’ You gave, not out of abundance but out of a heart that loves. Your cattle finished as you supported burying struggle stalwarts when the government chose to ignore them,” said ZAPU secretary general, Mthulisi Hanana who described MaKhumalo as the definition of imbokodo and epitome of a courageous woman.
Hanana said MaKhumalo set a good example of being a wife, detailing how she supported Dabengwa from the day their love blossomed in Zambia.
“You stood with him to the end. When there were bombings in Zambia you stood with him,” he said.
“When others sold their husbands out to save their own lives, you stood with him. During Gukurahundi when DD was persecuted by Zanu, you stood with him. When asked to convince him to join Zanu in exchange for freedom you stood with him.”
Despite torture by both colonialists and the Zanu government, the ZAPU SG said MaKhumalo remained resolute, striking a balance between calm and feisty.
He also likened her to traditional female leaders of yesteryears who bravely led their nations such as Nyamazana, Nandi, Lozikeyi and Mkabayi.
“As a wife of a minister, you carried yourself with dignity. You never, not even one day appeared on TV or anywhere for that matter flexing muscles borrowed from your husband,” Hanana said, adding that she also fitted perfectly in the circle of wives of nationalists like “uMafuyana, uMaDubeka Taffie umama uMaMnkandla kaFindo, Ruth Chinamano and many others.”
The ZAPU SG recalled that MaKhumalo was steadfast in her support for her husband even after his death, when the State attempted to take over Dabengwa’s burial because he had been deemed a national hero.
“MaKhumalo stood her ground and told them that declaring DD a hero is not a favour from the government and DD is a hero, declared or not. You jealously guarded the corpse of your man when vultures wanted to capitalise on his death. When asked to speak, all you said was ziii. It is that Zii that brings us here and gives us confidence as ZAPU,” Hanana said.
He questioned the government’s criteria of identifying national heroes.
“As we speak, we wonder how Soul Jah Luv and Magura Magura Charumbira were liberation heroes and you are not,” Hanana said, noting that the administration led by Robert Mugabe also denied Thenjiwe Lesabe heroine status.
“Then again we remember that Mugabe gave Lesabe the same status that has been given to you by this government. We know that this does not bother you ngoba uyabazi abantu laba. We wonder why we must only applaud this government for supporting your funeral and not ask them questions about why they harassed you.”
The ZAPU SG also expressed regret that party leader, Sibangilizwe Nkomo, son of founding father Joshua Nkomo, would not run for Presidency because he could not afford to raise the nomination costs, leaving the party with a difficult decision on who to vote for.
He added that Nelson Chamisa, who Dabengwa loved, always mocked ZAPU for not having numbers but claimed that this year, the party would “win something.”
“We are going back to basics. We are taking our local government issues seriously,” Hanana said.
On behalf of ZAPU president, National Chairman, John Zolani Dlamini, described MaKhumalo as a national heroine who suffered greatly during the liberation struggle and was further humiliated by the Black-led government, whose occupation was the establishment of a one-party state with one centre of power.
“Her husband, Dabengwa languished for years in Chikurubi on spurious treason charges. She stood by her husband and jealously looked after the family during that dark period. As usual with all despots, Mrs Dabengwa continued to be harassed by the State without shame,” Dlamini said.
Dlamini added: “What makes the situation painful is that Zodwa and her husband died outside their motherland due to dilapidated health facilities run down by the uncaring ruling regime.”
He also praised MaKhumalo for her determination during ZAPU’s revival after breaking away from Zanu PF while others were terrified due to their Gukurahundi experiences.
“On behalf of ZAPU and indeed on my own behalf we are devastated by the passing away of our mother ,our heroine. It is devastating in that we were expecting her home to unveil her husband’s tombstone but unfortunately life is unpredictable,” Dlamini said.
