By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
HARARE — It was meant to be a diplomatic visit like any other. President Mnangagwa had travelled to Eswatini in April 2026 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of King Mswati III’s coronation.
Ambassador Victor Matemadanda, Zimbabwe’s envoy to Mozambique and Eswatini, received him at the airport and accompanied him throughout the event.
They shared a meal, laughed together, and reminisced about the days of the liberation struggle. They spoke of departed comrades and discussed ways to strengthen relations with the countries where Matemadanda was accredited.
The Ambassador later saw the President off as he returned home. A handshake. A wave. A goodbye.
It would be their last.
‘Immense shock and sadness’
On 20 June 2026, Matemadanda passed away at Parirenyatwa Hospital at the age of 66.
The cause of death was not publicly disclosed.
“Unbeknown to me, that was the last meal we would share, the last handshake and the last wave goodbye, as I bid him farewell,” President Mnangagwa told mourners gathered at the National Heroes Acre on 26 June 2026.
“It was therefore with immense shock and sadness that I received the news of his passing,” the President said. “His demise is a blow to our nation, and we grieve this loss”.
A life of service
Born on 3 March 1960 in Gokwe, Matemadanda’s journey to national hero status began when he joined the liberation struggle as a teenager.
He joined ZANLA in 1973, trained at Tembwe and Chimoio in Mozambique, and was deployed to the Mutoko front in 1979.
During a fierce enemy attack that year, he was wounded and evacuated back to Mozambique for treatment. Undeterred, he was re-deployed and operated in Mudzi.
After independence, Matemadanda was integrated into the Zimbabwe National Army, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
He later served as Secretary-General of the War Veterans Association, ZANU PF National Political Commissar, Member of Parliament for Gokwe Central, Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, and finally Ambassador to Mozambique and Eswatini — a post he held from 2021 until his death .
‘He was fearless’
ZANU PF national spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa described Matemadanda as a “fearless stalwart” of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle.
Recalling his own experience at Tembwe training camp, Mutsvangwa revealed how a hunger crisis nearly claimed his life before a rescue mission organised by Matemadanda arrived.
“Word of the hunger plight stalking Tembwe reached the exile community in Zambia. Comrade Matemadanda, together with the late Comrade Kombayi, organised a food convoy from Zambia to Tembwe,” Mutsvangwa said.
“I still vividly remember that life-saving convoy to this day, five decades later”.
Mutsvangwa also reflected on Matemadanda’s role in the events leading to the removal of former President Robert Mugabe in November 2017.
“We flatly refused to allow the patriotic movement to slide into a family dynasty,” he said.
“Cde Matemadanda was as bold, courageous, daring as he was outspoken in challenging Mugabe’s perfidious assault of the permanent Zimbabwe Revolution”.
A first for Gokwe
Matemadanda’s burial at the National Heroes Acre marked a historic moment for his home province. He became the first national hero from Gokwe to be laid to rest at the shrine.
“We have lost a father figure, a unifier, one person who could teach development in love,” family representative Tapera Mugoriya said.
ZANU PF Midlands Provincial Chairperson Edson Chiherenge added: “As a province, we have lost a dedicated cadre who gave his all for the nation and for the people”. President Mnangagwa closed his eulogy with a simple, powerful farewell:
“Fambai zvakanaka Gamba remaGamba. Lala ngokuthula Qhawe lama Qhawe. May your soul rest in eternal peace”
About Author
