Nkosentsha Khumalo
On Monday, a sizeable number of mourners gathered at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo to bid a final farewell to the late Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube.
The beloved military Colonel and community leader passed away last Thursday at Mater Dei Hospital after a valiant battle with kidney ailments.
President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa then awarded the fallen liberator a national hero status the following day.
A memorial service was held at Barbourfields Stadium which saw a parade of heartfelt memories and condolences, as speaker after speaker took to the podium to honour the late retired Colonel.
One moment, however stood out as a friend of the Colonel revealed a startling secret that the retired military man had once dropped a gun in the classroom while working as a teacher.
Colonel Tshinga Dube was a guerrilla during the fight for Zimbabwe’s liberation.
In an effort to evade capture by the Smith regime’s soldiers, the gang of freedom fighters which the late Tshinga Dube led, scattered to various different countries as they fled. Dube fled to Botswana alone, having separated with his colleagues. While it was initially believed that Col Dube had been apprehended, he had, in fact, managed to elude his pursuers by fleeing to Botswana.
It was revealed that in order to blend in and escape detection, he took on the guise of a teacher.
Gibson Mayisa, who spoke on behalf of Tshinga’s friends said,
“Tshinga once found employment as a teacher in Botswana. I recall an incident when he accidentally dropped a pistol while writing on the chalkboard, leaving the students in shock. At that moment, Tshinga did not explain anything to the students about what exactly was going on but he swiftly picked up the weapon and concealed it, refraining from any explanation. Unfortunately, he was soon arrested at his home by Botswana Police later in that evening and taken to Lusaka.”
Cde Mayisa, a close confidant of Colonel Tshinga Dube for nearly 58 years, shared an intimate insight into the late Colonel’s demeanor during his memorial service.
Recounting their time together, Mayisa described Col Dube as” a man of unwavering humility,” whose manner remained consistently unperturbed, even in the face of heated confrontation.
“I knew him for 58 years, and I can tell you he was a man of humble nature. In fact, he was so calm that he would never raise his voice, even in the most heated situations. The worst thing he would ever call someone was a “fool”. Everytime when he was insulted he would simple reply by saying, “You are a fool.”
Mayisa also revealed that Col Dube’s visits to Zambian embassies during the war led to him being affectionately dubbed “Embassy”. He would knock from door to door of Embassies looking for a scholarship to further his studies.
Revelations continued to spill forth during the memorial service, as another little known facet of Colonel Dube’s life was brought to light.
Kenny Sigoba, speaking on behalf of the family, disclosed that Col Dube’s mother had secretly bestowed upon him the name “Siduduzo,” which means to say “The Comforter.”
Sigoba recounted that Col Dube’s birth offered a soothing balm to his mother’s broken heart, following the passing of her eldest child.
“Today I will tell you about Tshinga Judge Dube’s other name which most of you don’t know. His mother never called him by the name Tshinga, he named him Siduduzo (The Comforter),” he said.
“The eldest child born by his parents died and when he, Tshinga, was born he became a comforter to his mother who then gave him that name and used it until she passed on. So his other name is Siduduzo.”
Pioneer freedom fighter, Cde Moffat Hadebe, who had known Col Dube for several decades, recalled his former comrade as a soft-spoken man with great diplomacy.
“I met Cde Tshinga Dube in 1964 and have been with him ever since. He was a very tactful and soft-spoken man, unlike some of us,” he said.
Another former freedom fighter, Cde Jeconiah Moyo (also known as Zephania), described Col Dube as humble, respected, and an architect of the revolutionary struggle.
Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Honorable Judith Ncube said,
“We mourn with you. You lost a caring father, brother and grandparent. It’s a sad loss for Bulawayo. Allow me to thank President Mnangagwa for recognising Rtd Col Dube’s hard work and conferring him a national hero status.
“He has been accorded a befitting send-off due to his contribution to liberating the country and independence contributions. He was a hard worker, and pillar of strength and we bid farewell to a loyal, hardworking leader which every Zimbabwe should aim to achieve.”
“We celebrate a life well lived. His legacy will never fade. We shall remember for his works and deeds. We should never forget the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy as a product of his work. It was our duty to preserve the gains of our independence.
Minister Ncube described Col Dube as a hardworking, loyal and humble leader.
“We bid farewell to a hardworking, loyal and humble leader who leaves a legacy every progressive Zimbabwean should desire to achieve. To Rtd Col Cde Tshinga Dube’s family, I would like to express my deepest condolences to you for your loss. You have been robbed of a loving father,” she said.
Elkana Dube, who spoke on behalf of the Highlanders Football Club said,
“We express our sincere heartfelt condolences as the Highlanders family on the passing of Rtd Col Tshinga Judge Dube.
“We gather to celebrate the life of Rtd Col Dube, he wasn’t just a member but the heartbeat of the party. He instilled a sense of community within Highlanders F.C.”
“Rtd Col Dube opened doors to the club to the highest offices in the land. He assisted the club in getting a sponsorship partnership and a mining claim. He has left an indelible mark and his legacy will live on. As a club, we will miss him but his spirit will live on for generations to come. The final whistle has been blown.
Meanwhile, Members of the Zimbabwe Liberation War Victims Association (ZLWVA), a coalition of individuals who sustained injuries during the country’s fight for freedom recently saluted the late national hero, Cde Tshinga Dube, for his bravery and dedication to the country’s liberation.
In a statement made by Cde Collins Kasiya, the ZLWVA’s spokesperson, the association applauded the recognition bestowed upon Cde Dube by President Mnangagwa and the Politburo, who awarded him with the prestigious title of national hero.
“On behalf of the Zimbabwe Liberation War Victims Association, I extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family, the revolutionary ZANU PF party, and the whole nation on the passing on of national hero, gallant son of the soil, the indefatigable Retired Colonel Cde Tshinga Dube,” he said.
“He was a leader who tirelessly served war veterans and the victims of the liberation struggle during his tenure as Minister of the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs.
“His commitment to the welfare of war veterans and victims was unparalleled, and his vision for a united Zimbabwe will continue to guide us.”
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