Staff Reporter

President Mnangagwa has today challenged the youths to contribute towards nation building and to take a leaf from the selfless sacrifices made by the youths of yester-year.

Speaking during the burial of National Hero, Brigadier General Charles Kaneta at the National Heroes Acre, the President said the tradition of selflessness demonstrated by the likes of Cde Kaneta must serve as a source of inspiration for the youths of today.

“The tradition of selflessness which was demonstrated by the youth of the yester-year must serve as a source of inspiration for today’s young people and students of   our beloved country. The youths and students are therefore challenged to avail themselves, their skills and professional competencies for the collective national good.

“Those in the past sacrificed their education to fight for the democracy, freedom and independence we are enjoying to this day. Now the weighty responsibility to modernise, industrialise and develop our country rests with the young generation,” said President Mnangagwa.

The President further urged the youths to work harder in peace and unity to build the Zimbabwe we all want.

President Mnangagwa said that the sacrifices made by living and departed inspired and informed the political and socio-economic thrust of the Second Republic towards realising a totally free and prosperous Zimbabwe.

“As we pay our last respects to the late gallant Son of the Soil, Cde Kaneta, we must never forget the sacrifices he and other heroes and heroines made for the freedom of our mother land. In their honour, my Administration will continue to implement policies, programmes and projects that guarantee a better and more prosperous life of the people of Zimbabwe,” said the President.

Coming to the late Cde Kaneta, the President said that the late Brigadier was part of those cadres who vowed to liberate Zimbabwe rather than live a life of servitude under a colonially exploitative racist Rhodesian settler administration.

The President added that Cde Kaneta was innovative and always finding practical solutions to challenges that were encountered during the liberation struggle.

Cde Kaneta whose Chimurenga name was Cde Santana Tongai, passed last Saturday at his farm in Nyanga and was ferried to Hauna District Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.