Zimbabweans bid farewell to late minister Mudenge

HARARE, Thousands of Zimbabweans on Monday converged at Stoddart Hall in Harare's most populated district of Mbare to bid farewell to the late national hero, Higher Education Minister Stan Mudenge.

People from all walks of life gathered at the grounds in the early morning before the hearse carrying Dr. Mudenge's body arrived to a resounding welcome by hundreds of youths who were chanting revolutionary slogans and music.

President Robert Mugabe then led the body viewing proceedings followed by Vice President Joice Mujuru, deputy prime ministers Arthur Mutambara and Thokozani Khupe, ministers, service chiefs, relatives and friends.

As the body left Stoddart Hall, thousands of people lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the casket of the accomplished historian, educationist, diplomat and nationalist being led to his final resting place at the National Heroes Acre.

Speaking at the funeral, President Mugabe said that an educationist, Dr. Mudenge, agitated for the establishment of universities in all the country's provinces and introduced the students cadetship program as a way of assisting students at higher learning institutions.

"We are shocked because we lost a friend and a fountain of knowledge in African history," the President said, adding "universities must have that history that reflects our culture on their curriculum."

Mugabe hailed Dr. Mudenge for contributing to the development of the country, saying "we shall always remember his advice as to which countries we should befriend and which countries we should be cautious about."

"Although his body will not be with us, his brains, ideas and examples will always be remembered," Mugabe said.
Dr. Stan Mudenge's colleagues in the Zanu PF Politburo have given eulogies to the late nationalist, describing him as a diplomat par excellence, an astute administrator and a fountain of wisdom and knowledge.

Speaker after speaker who attended Dr. Mudenge's burial at the national shrine expressed gratitude to the late academic and diplomat and educationist for his contributions in various spheres for the development of Zimbabwe.

Dr. Mudenge died this Thursday at Great Zimbabwe Hotel in Masvingo where he had gone for a meeting with academics. (Xinhua)