President Emmerson Mnangagwa has described the late National Hero Major General (Retired) Richard Ruwodo as a gallant son of the soil who dedicated his life to Zimbabwe’s liberation and nation-building, urging citizens to emulate his patriotism, professionalism and selfless service.
Speaking at the burial of Major General (Rtd) Ruwodo at the National Heroes Acre on Monday, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe had lost a loyal freedom fighter whose contribution to both the liberation struggle and the development of the Zimbabwe National Army would remain etched in the country’s history.
The President extended condolences to the Ruwodo and Chinyanga families, describing the late military officer as a committed patriot who served the country with unwavering loyalty.
“He was a gallant Son of the Soil who devoted his life to wholeheartedly serve our motherland, Zimbabwe, with unwavering patriotism, immense honour and professionalism,” President Mnangagwa said.
He noted that the nation continued to lose members of the liberation war generation but said Zimbabwe remained grateful for the sacrifices they made in securing the country’s independence.
President Mnangagwa challenged the younger generation to uphold the ideals of the liberation struggle and continue defending Zimbabwe’s sovereignty, independence and national interests.
The President recounted Major General Ruwodo’s journey from his birth in Mutasa District, Manicaland Province, through his education at Mutasa School and Highfields Secondary School, before joining Bata Shoe Company as a salesman in 1973, where he quickly rose to a managerial position because of his leadership qualities.
He said despite promising career prospects in the private sector, Ruwodo chose to abandon civilian life in 1975 to join the Zimbabwe National Liberation Army (ZANLA) and fight for the country’s independence.
After undergoing military training at Chimoio in Mozambique, Ruwodo served at the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) headquarters in Maputo as Director of Finance under the late National Hero Cde Ernest Kadungure before returning home after Independence.
President Mnangagwa said the late Major General played a key role in building a professional Zimbabwe National Army, beginning as Deputy Chief Paymaster before becoming the first Black Director of Zimbabwe National Army Pay and Records.
He credited Ruwodo with strengthening corporate governance, accountability, transparency and human capital development within the army, while making a significant contribution to the integration of the country’s defence forces after Independence.
For his distinguished service, Ruwodo received numerous honours, including the Liberation Medal, Liberation Decoration Silver Medal, Independence Medal, Long and Exemplary Service Medal, Mozambique Campaign Medal and the Grand Officer of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit Award.
Following his retirement from the Zimbabwe National Army in 2008, he was appointed Principal Director responsible for War Veterans in the then Ministry of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, where he championed improved welfare for liberation war veterans.
President Mnangagwa said the lives of Major General Ruwodo and fellow National Hero Professor Herbert Chinyanga represented a rich legacy of patriotism, sacrifice and dedicated service from which future generations should draw inspiration.
“I call upon all Zimbabweans across all fields of specialisation, in both the private and public sectors, to emulate their exemplary service,” the President said.
He also challenged professionals, academics and innovators to develop local solutions that advance Zimbabwe’s industrialisation and modernisation agenda, saying every profession has a critical role in achieving Vision 2030.
Concluding his address, President Mnangagwa paid tribute to the two National Heroes, saying they had shown the nation the true meaning of dedication and service.
“Today, the nation, from Plumtree to Mutare and Chirundu to Beitbridge salutes you for your impeccable records of dedicated professionalism and hard work,” he said.