via Chombo praises Mujuru’s ‘military prowess’ – Nehanda Radio Sep 22 2014
HARARE – Ignatius Chombo, the Local Government minister, has heaped lavish praise on Vice President Joice Mujuru, saying her liberation war credentials were impeccable.
Chombo’s endorsement comes hard on the heels of a scathing attack on the VP by deputy minister of Foreign Affairs Chris Mutsvangwa, who claimed that the much-hyped downing of a Rhodesian plane by Mujuru was a creation of Zanu PF propaganda machinery.
Born into a peasant family in Mount Darwin, Mujuru dropped out of school and was 18 when she joined the liberation army. She rose through the guerrilla ranks to become a wing commander.
Her notoriety increased after she reportedly single-handedly shot down a Rhodesian army helicopter.
In a congratulatory message to Mujuru for attaining of a PhD, Chombo and his Local Government team said her military dexterity was the reason for her ascendancy to the vice president’s post.
Mujuru joined Mugabe’s first post-independence cabinet in 1980 at 25, and was one of the longest-serving government ministers before her elevation to the vice presidency in 2004.
“Your military prowess that you exhibited as a guerrilla fighter set you in good stead for ascendancy to the position of vice president of the Republic of Zimbabwe and your academia achievements will further widen your knowledge base for the benefit of the people you serve,” Chombo said.
Mutsvangwa has cast aspersions on Mujuru’s war credentials, saying they were exaggerated.
“Zvekare hapana comrade akanga akatakura pfuti mbiri mbiri ari mumwe (There was no comrade who would carry two guns),” Mutsvangwa said. “Taingove mumwe neimwe. Kupedzisa nekukanda pasi manyepo ekudonhedza helicopter yemuvengi akaumbwa naWebster Shamu kumupembedza kutiabviswe kuvamwe macomrades.
“Ngatisanyengedzwe nepovho nemagwara atavakudyidzana nawo mushure mekupera kwehondo yerusununguko (We had one gun each. It is a lie that she downed an enemy helicopter.
‘The lie was created by Webster Shamu to stroke her ego so that she could be promoted. Let’s not be fooled by such lies after the liberation war),” Mutsvangwa said.
Chombo said Mujuru’s attainment of a PhD will inspire uneducated war veterans to go to school.
“It is our sincere hope that such an outstanding achievement will serve to inspire all those whose education has been disrupted during the liberation struggle, like yours and for whatever reason that it is never too late to go to school,” Chombo said.
“Your successful attainment of the PhD should remind us that we should never be content with whatever credentials we currently possess.”
Chombo said the nation stands to benefit immensely from Mujuru’s judicious guidance.
“We look forward to your continued astute guidance as we strive to bring sound local governance to people of Zimbabwe,” he said.
“May your achievement be an inspiration to your family, women and the nation at large.” Daily News
COMMENTS
Orh please help us, so now they all think that having a PhD is the most important thing in life. Practical, ethical, life skills, common sense and good logic, a brain that can distinguish good from evil, less self-enrichment by corrupt means, now this might acutally help us. Academia alone can be horribly over-rated, and worse when desperate people think it will somehow magically mask all of their other inadequacies.
A gun-toting, chopper killing, ruthless
Doctor of Bullsh*t!
For what it is worth if Mujuru attained a Phd through her own contribution, initiative and hard work then I for one would salute her. A PhD might not mean she is the cleverest , it might not even say she can distinguish good from evil but in all fairness a properly obtained Phd is a highly regarded accomplishment worldwide.
Up until very recently 6 of the leading economies’bank governors or chairpersons had a Phd from one univeristy or had had their Phd research supervised by linked supervisors. Obviously its important to note what the Phd is in and what the research topic is
Does she have a BA,B COM or MBA and if not how the hell does she and Disgrace Mugabe qualify to sit for a PHD?
“UNEDUCATED WAR VETS TO GO TO SCHOOL” 34YRS POST INDEPENDENCE NDIPO PAWAKUTAURA MARARA AKADARO. DAMN !!!
Military prowess? how does cutting the lips off one of your own people count ,or standing watching your soldiers maim and rape people of your own tribe? She is a heartless liar ,she joined Mugabe in celebrating the deaths of 20000 matableles and that won’t ever be forgotten
fix the bloody economy n to hell with the degrees n PhD
she j
She rose through the guerrilla ranks to become a wing commander.
With all due respect ” Wing Commander” is an airforce rank and Zanla never had an “airforce”.
She rose through the guerrilla ranks to become a wing commander.
With all due respect ” Wing Commander” is an airforce rank and Zanla never had an “airforce”.
Gogo Hippo rides again. Wish I was a croc. I would eat her up and then throw her up into the Zambezi.
Isn’t Chombo in mnangagwa camp???? Just wondering!
Perhaps Chombo being “clever by half” by attempting to redirect the media’s attention.
One view has always been that the Grace saga was, in part, an attempt to rain on Mujuru’s parade by showing that anyone connected can get a doctorate, in 2 months even. If so, the ruse back-fired horribly (as all schemes linked to Grace are likely to do eventually). It is Grace who has become centre of attention for all the wrong reasons, infuriating UZ graduates and making an even greater fool of herself in the process.
The main problem lies in thinking that military prowess means something when trying to run a modern economy.
“Your military prowess that you exhibited as a guerrilla fighter set you in good stead for ascendancy to the position of vice president of the Republic of Zimbabwe …… ” Chombo said.
Good point @grabmore if she was that great she could bring down helicopters alone with a catapult fantastic well done BUT great soldiers don’t necessarily make great leaders. 34 years later you can’t be running around saying “vote for me I’m good with a rekan I can fix the economy” half wits the whole lot in ZPF.
What prowess ?????? Waddle waddle fat quack quack