Acting President Dr. Constantino Chiwenga commemorated the late Brigadier-General (Retired) Mathias Tizirai Ngarava as a “disciplined soldier, distinguished patriot, and dedicated revolutionary” during his funeral at the National Heroes Acre. Ngarava passed away on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, at the age of 66.
In his address, Dr. Chiwenga emphasized the profound national loss represented by Ngarava’s passing. “We gather here at the National Heroes Acre to lay to rest a gallant son of Zimbabwe,” he stated, reflecting on Ngarava’s exemplary service to the nation.
Dr. Chiwenga noted the recent losses of liberation war heroes, including Brigadier-General (Rtd) Mark Charles Chimwaza, recently buried at the same site. He extended condolences to Ngarava’s family on behalf of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the Government, ZANU PF, and the nation at large.
“Your loss is our collective loss,” Dr. Chiwenga remarked, urging the family to take comfort in Ngarava’s legacy. He traced Ngarava’s life journey from his birth on March 27, 1959, in Chivi District, to his vital role in the liberation struggle.
Brigadier-General Ngarava left school in 1976 to join the fight for independence, crossing into Mozambique for military training. His commitment to Zimbabwean sovereignty was evident in his participation in peace campaigns in Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“Brigadier-General Ngarava’s generation was driven not by ambition, but by an obligation to liberate Zimbabwe,” Dr. Chiwenga asserted, underscoring the sacrifices made for independence. He concluded by emphasizing Ngarava’s lasting aspirations for peace, prosperity, and stability for all citizens of Zimbabwe.