Nkomo mourns hero Welshman Mabhena

Chronicle

8 October 2010

By Nduduzo Tshuma

VICE-PRESIDENT John Nkomo yesterday visited the Mabhena home in Bulawayo to pass his condolences following the death of former Matabeleland North Governor Welshman Mabhena on Tuesday.

Mabhena (86) died at his Four Winds home on Tuesday morning at about 6am after a long struggle with diabetes and high blood pressure.
VP Nkomo was accompanied by the Deputy President of the Senate, Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu, Zanu-PF national secretary for education, Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, and Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial chairman Cde Isaac Dakamela.

The Zanu-PF Politburo on Wednesday met in Harare and unanimously declared Mabhena a national hero. However, the Mabhena family said it was not accepting the party’s gesture and would go ahead and bury the former Governor at the Lady Stanley Cemetery tomorrow.

After arriving at the Mabhena residence, VP Nkomo went into a two-hour meeting with the Mabhena family to discuss the politician’s burial arrangements. When he emerged from the meeting, VP Nkomo declined to divulge what they had discussed with the family, led by Mr Norman Mabhena and former National Railways of Zimbabwe general manager, Alvord Mabhena.

The Vice-President said he had to report back to the Zanu-PF Politburo and President Mugabe on what was discussed.

“We were here firstly to pass our condolences to the Mabhena family following the death of Welshman Mabhena,” said VP Nkomo.

“Secondly, since the Politburo granted Mabhena national hero status, it is the norm that some people are sent to go and convey the message to the family.
“We have spoken to the family but we cannot tell you now but we will let you know in due course. We have to first report back before going public.”

VP Nkomo called on Zimbabweans to defend the gains of independence that Mabhena and other nationalists sacrificed their lives for.

He said Mabhena was one of the pioneer nationalists having started participating in politics of resistance in the 1950s and for that he should be respected for his contributions. “It is for the remaining generation to safeguard the gains of independence that Mabhena sacrificed for. His sacrifices should not be in vain,” said VP Nkomo.
However, the Mabhena family spokesman Mr Norman Mabhena insisted that his brother would be buried at the Lady Stanley Cemetery tomorrow.
“Welshman will be buried at the Lady Stanley Cemetery as per his wishes. His works gave Welshman his hero status. It is in recognition of his works and fight for the liberation of the country from 1953,” said Mr Mabhena.

In a statement yesterday, Zanu-PF national chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo said he learnt with utter bewilderment about the death of Mabhena.
“Cde Mabhena’s liberation credentials need no marking as they constitute a textbook of a tested revolutionary, a visionary leader and a great man of purpose. The highest honour awarded to him by the Zanu-PF Politburo as a national hero was deserved and merited,” said Cde Moyo.

“No one can ever take that honour from him. His footprints will forever remain carved in stone for he was an epitome of steadfastness, a fountain of wisdom and a leader of enviable fair play, development wise.

“The ‘Lion of Nkayi’ has gone to sleep. Zimbabwe is indeed poorer by his silence. In wishing his family strength and staying power, may his soul anchor and rest in eternal peace.”

More people continued to visit the Mabhena home to pass their condolences to the family. Among them were Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart and Chief Mtshane Khumalo of Bubi.

Minister Coltart described Mabhena as a man of great integrity who was passionate about the people of Matabeleland.

“Welshman has been a good friend of mine for many years. We met in 1986 when he was my client. He was a man of great integrity and passionate about the people of Matabeleland,” said Minister Coltart. “His death is a loss to Matabeleland and Zimbabwe as a whole. If anyone deserves to be a hero, it is Mabhena, as you can see with his house that he was a modest man.

“He left a legacy of servant leadership, he did not acquire great wealth for himself but was dedicated to the people and country. He left a legacy of leadership that we need to aspire for.”

After the attainment of Independence in 1980, Cde Mabhena became the chairperson for the Nkayi Rural District Council.

The at-times controversial Cde Mabhena was in 1985 elected Member of Parliament for Nkayi constituency on a PF-Zapu ticket. At that time he was the secretary-general of the party and in 1987 after the united Zanu-PF was born, Mabhena became Matabeleland North provincial chairman.

In 1990, Mabhena, who was the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, was appointed Minister of State for Political Affairs.

During that time he was a Zanu-PF Politburo member holding the portfolio of Secretary for Transport and Welfare. He was later appointed Governor for Matabeleland North Province, a post he held until he retired in July 2000.

Although he lived under a cloud of speculation that he was joining MDC, Cde Mabhena came out in 2006 and said he was not a member of the party, which he described as lacking an ideology that the people can identify with.

Mabhena is survived by his wife, Rebecca, three children, 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mourners are gathered at Number 12 Amatja Road in Four Winds.