By Christopher Kambande
Former Ward 16 councillor Cde Tsitsi Grace Jadagu, who died after a short illness this month, was the first woman from Chitungwiza to be declared a national heroine.
Cde Jadagu, who was the councillor for Ward 16, died on April 18 in the town.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa presided over her burial yesterday at the National Heroes Acre while burying national heroes Cde Nyasha Nash Dzimiri and Brigadier-General Shadreck Vezha.
The late national heroine and salvationist was born on March 11, 1943, and went to Murehwa Mission in 1959 for her education.
She trained as a police officer and later enrolled in primary school teachers’ training at Nyadire Mission in 1960.
She started her political career at the age of 17 in Mangwende Village, Murewa. During that time, her family, led by Chief Mangwende, had a conflict with the Rhodesian Native Commissioner over national politics. Eventually, the whole family was forced out of the village, which resulted in them seeking refuge in Old Highfield.
“We honour her for the indelible role that she and other women played in our country’s protracted fight for freedom and independence. She is the epitome of female revolutionaries, who endured and never gave in to the brutal and racist oppression of the Rhodesian regime,” he said.
“She will be remembered for her bravery, courage, and determination as she acted as a courier for the provision of vital information and intelligence to the liberation war fighters.”
President Mnangagwa said that Amai Jadagu was appointed Special Interest Councillor in 2013 after serving as councillor in 1999.
“She was appointed Senator in 2014 and became a member of the Peace and Security Committee, which played an oversight role in the welfare of defense and security services,” he said.
“She will be remembered for her bravery, courage, and determination as she acted as a courier for the provision of vital information and intelligence to the liberation war fighters.”
