By Rex Mphisa
BEITBRIDGE cultural icon Rumbidzai Libombo has been declared a Liberation War Heroine by the ruling party Zanu PF.
The declaration was made by Zanu PF First Secretary Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa who is the President of Zimbabwe.
She will be buried at the District Heroes Acre at Makakavhule.
In a statement, Jacob Mudenda, the Zanu PF Secretary General said: “His Excellency, the President and First Secretary of ZANU (PF), Cde E.D. Mnangagwa has conferred a Liberation Heroine status to the late Cde Ribombo Rumbidzai who died on 4th February 2026. She will be buried in Beitbridge, Makakavhule Cemetery, under Chief Sitauze. The family can be contacted through our Matabeleland South Provincial Offices.”
“I shall be most grateful if you would make the usual burial arrangements and payment of benefits to her family. The Deceased is from Matabeleland South Province,” he said.
The statement activates all systems for the burial now taken over by the State.
A Liberation War Hero status in Zimbabwe is a highly symbolic, state-managed process honouring those who contributed to the 1980 independence,
The highest honour, National Hero status, grants burial at the 23-hectare National Heroes Acre in Harare.
Other categories include liberation war heroes buried at provincial or district shrines.
Most Beitbridge residents acknowledged the late Libombo’s illustrious life as a culture preservation stalwart.
Matabeleland South Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe on Friday said Libombo’s work was well known and respected.
She is survived by her five children.
The statement activates all systems for the burial now taken over by the State.
A Liberation War Heroe status in Zimbabwe is a highly symbolic, state-managed process honouring those who contributed to the 1980 independence, primarily managed by the ZANU PF party.
The highest honour, National Hero status, grants burial at the 23-hectare