Liberation War Hero Retired Major Blessing Matsikenyere Laid to Rest

Zimbabwe has laid to rest liberation war hero Retired Major Blessing Matsikenyere, honoured for his role as a military trainer, freedom fighter and community leader in Chimanimani (image source)

CHIMANIMANI — Zimbabwe has laid to rest Retired Major Blessing Matsikenyere, a decorated liberation war veteran and military trainer, who died on December 16 and was buried at his rural home in Chimanimani. Known during the liberation struggle by his Chimurenga name, Cde Kingsley Ndorumwa, Matsikenyere was honoured by family, comrades and community leaders for his role in the country’s liberation and post-independence nation-building.

War veterans who served alongside him recalled his bravery and professionalism. Cde John Netsiyamwa said he trained with Matsikenyere at Nyadzonya before both were selected as military instructors at Mgagao. Following independence, Matsikenyere joined the Zimbabwe National Army, where he served as a trainer and member of the General Staff. Cde Joseph Chinotimba also paid tribute, recalling encounters with Matsikenyere in Mozambique and later at Dzapasi Assembly Point during the integration process.

ZANU-PF Central Committee member Patricia Kudhlande described the late veteran as a unifying figure who remained committed to community development long after the war. She said Matsikenyere was involved in rehabilitation projects, including road works, before illness forced him to step back from public life. She added that he withdrew from a parliamentary race due to health challenges and later supported his wife, Nokuthula Matsikenyere, in her political work. “He was a unifier,” Kudhlande said.

Family members spoke of a man deeply devoted to service. His daughter, Tendai Matsikenyere, thanked the Government for conferring liberation war hero status on her father. “My father was a proud soldier. He was jovial, caring, loving and very generous,” she said. His widow, Cde Nokuthula Matsikenyere, highlighted his political and community contributions, noting that he actively supported ZANU-PF efforts in Chimanimani and beyond. She said he had been ill since 2010 after suffering a mild stroke linked to diabetes and high blood pressure, which later resulted in renal failure.

Mr Munyaradzi Rubaya, Director in the Office of the Minister of State and Provincial Affairs and Devolution, said Matsikenyere’s death was a significant loss to the province and the ruling party. “He fought to liberate the country and was known for helping his community,” Rubaya said.

Born on December 15, 1955, Matsikenyere joined the liberation struggle in 1975 after crossing into Mozambique from Mutambara High School. He trained at Zhunda camp, where he met the late former President Robert Mugabe, before being sent to Tanzania for military training under senior commanders including Vice President General (Retired) Dr Constantino Chiwenga and the late Air Chief Marshal (Retired) Perrance Shiri. He later served as a military instructor at Tembwe and inside Zimbabwe, training fellow freedom fighters.

Retired Major Blessing Matsikenyere leaves behind a legacy defined by sacrifice, discipline and service, both during the liberation struggle and in independent Zimbabwe.