By Dumisani Ndlovu
It was a huge send-off for Liberation hero and development expert Professor Frank Feresi Mbengo, who dedicated his life to the overall influence of all human forces and the increase to the inventory of physical, human capital, knowledge, and skills in our nation, as his burial was witnessed by thousands of people from all walks of life at his homestead, in Chachacha, Shurugwi on Saturday
Prof. Mbengo died in South Africa on Sunday the 10th of September aged 83.
Upon the arrival of Midlands State Minister, Honourable Owen Ncube representative, Abiot Maronge and the high delegation, led the government speeches before proceeding to the body viewing procession followed by Zanu Pf Central Committee members, Commissioners, members of parliament and other dignitaries.
Former Foreign Affairs Minister, who is Central Committee Member, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, Gender Commissioner, Obert Matshalaga and Shurugwi Senator,Francis Nhema attended the burial.
Addressing mourners, on behalf of Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube, Midlands Provincial Development Coordinator Mr Abiot Maronge said Prof. Mbengo was passionate to see the improvement of a country in all areas, including the political, economic, social, cultural, scientific, and material.
“To the family I would like to say, Prof. Mbengo had ceased to be your alone, he equally belonged to, Shurugwi, Midlands, the nation and the region. Our hearts bleeds; he had left an irreplaceable vacuum in the hearts of many and most especially to the national development visionaries.
On my behalf and on behalf of Midlands Province, I would like to applaud the President, His Excellency Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa for conferring our own comrade liberation war hero status,” he said.
On his speech, Minister of State and Devolution, who is also Gokwe Kana legislator, Hon. Ncube went on to describe the late Prof. Mbengo as one of the pioneers who revised the post colonial public service laws of Zimbabwe.
“He was among the pioneers of revised Public Service Act to guarantee the human rights, and the dignity and equality of every public servant, who bear the brunt of the then existing colonial, discriminatory, Public Service Act Amendment,” he said.
Shurugwi Senator Francis Nhema said Prof. Mbengo was selfless despite his status.
“Some people did not know him because he was not a person who would run around beating his chest saying, “I did this, I did that thus we was going to miss his simplicity and sense of direction. Shurugwi Development was at the pulse of his heart-that why we formed Shurugwi Development partners. He never jostled for bigger positions in the party, as well as in Government,” he said.
Cde Mumbengegwi said he knew Prof. Mbengo personally and found him invaluable in terms of his commitment to the ideology of the party.
This, he said, he realised when they worked together when he was in Zambia.
“He was one of those rare individuals in a number of ways,”. Few of his generation acquired degrees and committed to the liberation struggle. Most of them went to look for jobs elsewhere using their education, but in his case, he committed to the liberation and development of our country, ‘he said.
“I knew him personally from our time in Zambia, “he said attributing to Prof. Mbengo who during the liberation was a senior member of The Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) administration. Prof. Mbengo, was among many others who made up the team that helped transform ZAPU and ZIPRA, (the armed wing) into a formidable liberation movement that it became.
“He never flinched; he was quiet, but effective. The legacy that we and the future generation learn from him is commitment, patriotism and humility. “he said.
Celebrated as an academic, a workaholic who was a great advisor and fatherly figure, Prof. Mbengo’s burial drew mourners who included high-ranking Government officials and members from different political parties, diplomats, captains of industry, friends and relatives.
Proceedings began in the morning with people drawn from business, politics and academia, among others, thronging the homestead for a brief ceremony and body-viewing.
Groups of local women, youths, church choirs sang songs and danced. Mourners were austounded on how the uninvited veteran poet Siphosami Ndlovu of the High Voltage Poets stole the show at Professor Mbengo’s burial celebrating the life of the development technocrat.
Although the arrival of Cde Mbengo’s body at his rural home, Chachacha in Shurugwi created an emotional atmosphere, hundreds of mourners said his life should be celebrated considering the role he played in the development of not only Shurugwi but Zimbabwe from the pre-independence era and after the country attained independence.
After body-viewing, army pallbearers carried the casket to its final resting place around 1pm, draped in the national flag in owner of the liberation war stalwart.
Local Chimurenga Choir and a United Methodist group entertained mourners with revolutionary songs and dances while the Hodzeko Arts and Culture Association representative also put up a polished performance before the capacity crowd.
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Prof. Mbengo was a Professor in Development Studies and Political International Relations and Comparative Education. He worked as Permanent Secretary with the Natural Resources and Tourism Ministry in Zimbabwe before he left to serve as UNESCOs Education Advisor and Representative for various African Countries. Prof. Mbengo also taught at the University of Dar es Salaam and was Associate Director of the institute. He is survived by his wife, Bessie Moyahabo Mbengo, daughter Dr. Joan-Ann(Jowie) Masetumo Mbengo, grand Children, Petra,Zothile,Emilia, Ester as well as brothers, nephes, sisters and nieces from the extended family .
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