JK presides over Mbita’s send-off

President Jakaya Kikwete pays his last respects to Brig Gen Hashim Mbita at Lugalo Military Barracks in Dar es Salaam before his burial at Kisutu Cemetery in the city yesterday. Second left is First Lady Salma Kikwete.  PHOTO|VENANCE NESTORY 

By Bernard Lugongo, The Citizen Reporter

In Summary

A sombre mood engulfed Lugalo Military Barracks where the national send-off for Mbita was held before his burial at Kisutu Cemetery in the city.

Dar es Salaam. President Jakaya Kikwete yesterday led hundreds of mourners in paying last respects to the fallen Africa liberation hero, Brigadier General Hashim Mbita.

A sombre mood engulfed Lugalo Military Barracks where the national send-off for Mbita was held before his burial at Kisutu Cemetery in the city.

Those in attendance at the send-off included the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Gen Davis Mwamunyange, Prime Minister Mizengo Pinda, Retired President Benjamin Mkapa and former CDFs Gen Robert Mboma and Gen George Waitara.

Representatives from outside the country included Zimbabwe’s Minister of Defence, Dr Sydney Sekeramayi, and Deputy Prime Minister of Namibia, Ms Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

Others were South African Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Nomatindia Mfetiko, Zimbabwe’s High Commissioner to Tanzania Edzai Chimonyo and Mozambique High Commissioner to Tanzania Vicente Veloso. Tributes from all speakers generally recalled Mbita’s great contribution to the liberation of Africa.

Mr Mfetiko said South Africa had been saddened by his death, given the way he worked with Mwalimu Julius Nyerere in fighting for the liberation of southern African countries.

“It’s because of him that South Africa gained its independence,” he said and revealed that his country had actually planned to award Gen Mbita for his role in South Africa’s liberation struggle on April 26.