Sinokubonga Nkala
Peter Matika, peter.matika@chronicle.co.zw
SCORES of mourners yesterday gathered to bid a solemn farewell to the late national hero and former Vice President, Cde Phelekezela Mphoko, who was laid to rest at his family plot in Douglasdale, Bulawayo.
The burial marked the conclusion of a life devoted to Zimbabwe’s independence, development, and reconciliation.
President Mnangagwa, who had earlier conferred national hero status on Cde Mphoko, described him as “a pillar of unity and resilience” whose enduring legacy would continue to inspire future generations.
Cde Mphoko (84) passed away in India, where he had been receiving medical treatment. As his casket was lowered into the grave, a 21-gun salute echoed in tribute to his immense contributions to the nation.
The ceremony was attended by senior Government officials, liberation war veterans, diplomats, and members of the public, underscoring the high esteem in which Cde Mphoko was held.
In his eulogy, Retired Brigadier-General Abel Mazinyane praised Cde Mphoko’s pivotal role in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, saying: “He was not my best friend as people think, but he was my commander. I shared many profound experiences under his leadership and guidance.”
Family spokesperson and younger brother, Mr Ndabezinhle Mphoko, expressed the family’s deep sense of loss:
“No words can explain how much we will miss him. He was a humble man who cherished his privacy and family. His journey may have ended, but the memories and lessons he imparted will inspire generations to come.”
Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo described Cde Mphoko as a courageous leader who played a vital role in Zimbabwe’s liberation and development.
Cde Mphoko was born on June 11, 1940 at Gwizane, in Bubi District of Matabeleland North.
He attended David Livingstone Memorial School in Ntabazinduna and Mzilikazi High School in Bulawayo.
Between 1959 and 1960, he enrolled at the Tsholotsho Agricultural Breeding and Experimental School where he did cropping and animal husbandry.
After school, Cde Mphoko was employed by Dunlop Rhodesia Ltd between 1962-63 and was a workers’ representative in the moulding section.
In 1963, Cde Mphoko was arrested after lashing out at a Rhodesian police officer who had set his dog on him and fellow youths.
He was sentenced to three years in jail and sent to Khami Prison, before appealing against the sentence and was granted bail awaiting a retrial.
In the same year, 1963, he was a delegate at the Cold Comfort Farm People’s Caretaker Council Congress.
The congress created a Special Affairs Department and decided on an external wing of zapu that would plan and direct the armed struggle.
Under the Special Affairs programme, Cde Mphoko along with Albert Nxele, Walter Mbambo and Sam Dumaza Mpofu, were selected by Zapu leader Cde Joshua Nkomo to go for military training.
On April 4, 1964, while awaiting a retrial, Cde Mphoko left Zimbabwe as part of a group of six and received military training in the Soviet Union between May 1964 and February 1965.
In March 1965, he created the first military command structure, the military planning committee, to plan and direct the armed struggle.
Cde Mphoko was one of the first seven commanders commissioned by the revolution and by the political leadership to recruit, train and command Zimbabweans into a revolution for the liberation of Zimbabwe.
In 1967, he became a member of the Joint Military Command in charge of logistics and supply in the ANC/Zapu Alliance.
He commanded the Joint Military rehearsals for the Wankie operations at Dan Nang base, Luthuli Camp, which included South African freedom fighters Joe Modise and Chris Hani who was the Commander of the Detachment, and others.
In 1967 and 1968, he operated in Sipolilo (now Guruve) together with Modise, Abraham Nkiwane, Dumiso Dabengwa and others.
In 1976, he was a delegate at the formation of the Patriotic Front, in Maputo, Mozambique, with JZ Moyo, George Silundika and Joseph Msika.
In 1977, Cde Mphoko attended the OAU Adhoc Committee of Foreign Ministers in Luanda Angola with Cdes Joseph Msika, and George Silundika.
In 1979, he attended the Lancaster House peace talks as a military delegate.
The following year, Cde Mphoko was appointed as a Special Envoy for Dr Joshua Nkomo, to President Samora Machel of Mozambique, King Sobhuza II of Swaziland, Chief Leabuwa Jonathan of Lesotho, President Fidel Castro of Cuba, and Eric Honneker of the German Democratic Republic.
He served in the sub-committee that designed Zimbabwe national flag.
In 1981, Cde Mphoko worked in the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare as Deputy Director for Demobilisation.
In 1987, he was transferred to the diplomatic service and, with junior stints in Mozambique as liaison officer and in 1996 appointed liaison officer to Austria, also covering the United Nations Drug Control Programme and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation.
Between 1996 and 1999, he did advanced courses in semen collection, artificial insemination and embryo transfer at the Institute of Genetics, Austria.
In 2002, he was appointed Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Botswana, before becoming Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the Russian Federation. In 2010, he was appointed Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to South Africa.
On December 10, 2014, he was appointed Vice-President by the late former President Cde Robert Mugabe alongside Cde Mnangagwa, who is now President.
The late former President Mugabe assigned Cde Mphoko the ministerial portfolio of National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation.
He was sworn in as Vice- President on December 12, 2014.
On July 6, 2015, he assigned Cde Mphoko the responsibility for coordination and implementation of policy.
He ceased to be Vice-President in November 2017 when the Second Republic was ushered into power.
Cde Mphoko is survived by wife Laurinda, and they had three children together, daughters Sikhumbuzo, Siduduzo and son, Siqokoqela.
He was also blessed with three grandchildren.
