By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
HARARE — He was a liberation fighter, a politician, a diplomat. But those who knew Victor Matemadanda best say he was also a philosopher of self-reliance — a man who rejected the “begging bowl syndrome” and championed hard work, production, and productivity as the true path to economic emancipation.
In his eulogy at the National Heroes Acre on 26 June 2026, President Mnangagwa recalled how Matemadanda, as Secretary-General of the War Veterans Association, “did not believe in the ‘begging bowl syndrome'”.
Instead, the late national hero “promoted hard honest work, tilling the land, as well as production and productivity, as sustainable avenues to total economic emancipation, and an improved quality of life for all our people”.
A philosophy forged in struggle
Matemadanda’s belief in self-reliance was not abstract theory. It was forged in the crucible of the liberation struggle, where he learned that freedom could not be begged for — it had to be fought for.
Born on 3 March 1960 in Gokwe, his family experienced colonial displacement when they were relocated from their land before going into exile in Zambia.
Inspired by his father’s participation in the liberation struggle, Matemadanda joined ZANLA in 1973 and went to the war front in 1979.
After independence, he carried that same fighting spirit into peacetime service — championing the welfare of war veterans while insisting they should not depend on handouts.
‘Promoting hard honest work’
As Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, Matemadanda worked to ensure the welfare of liberation war veterans remained a national obligation — but not through charity.
His philosophy, the President noted, was that economic liberation must accompany political liberation. He encouraged veterans to return to the land, to produce, to build. “He promoted hard honest work, tilling the land”.
It was a message that resonated beyond the war veterans’ community. Matemadanda understood that the “begging bowl” was not just undignified — it was unsustainable.
True freedom, he believed, meant the ability to provide for oneself and one’s community.
A legacy for future generations
Even after being appointed Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique and Eswatini in 2021, Matemadanda carried his philosophy of self-reliance into diplomacy.
He worked to strengthen trade and investment ties, particularly in agriculture and the sugarcane sector, believing that economic partnerships should be based on mutual benefit, not aid.
Away from politics and public office, Matemadanda pursued academic advancement, earning a degree from the University of South Africa before attaining a Doctorate in Business Administration from the African Leadership Institute in 2022.
On the diplomatic front, he took on the sacred duty of protecting Zimbabwe’s national liberation shrines at Chimoio, Tembwe, and Nyadzonya in Mozambique.
“A nation that forgets its past cannot build its future,” the President said, quoting the late Ambassador’s belief .
‘We are one united people’
In his final tribute, President Mnangagwa linked Matemadanda’s philosophy to the broader national project of building Zimbabwe.
“Through production and productivity as well as an enduring sense of duty, we must all help to develop, modernise and industrialise our beloved motherland, Zimbabwe,” the President said .
“The young and old alike, veterans and non-veterans, we are one united people, with one common vision and one destiny.
This is the final salute which our dear departed National Hero and many other fallen heroes and heroines, deserve”.
For those who knew him, Matemadanda’s greatest legacy may be his unwavering belief that Zimbabweans should stand on their own feet.
He lived by the principle that Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo — the nation is built by its people.
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