Zanu PF debate Andy Brown hero status

Zanu-PF Harare and Midlands provinces have approached the party requesting it to consider conferring Andy Brown with liberation war hero status. Zanu-PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo said the status will be in recognition of the role played by the musician in supporting a national cause, the land reform programme.

“The province has approached the party but it is yet to write a formal application to the secretary for administration for consideration by the leadership.  The province is requesting that he (Brown) be conferred with liberation war hero status,” he said.

Gumbo said Brown was an outstanding musician who authored songs that evoked the spirit of the liberation struggle. He said Brown suffered loss of business by choosing to support the land reform programme.

“Andy was one of the few musicians who chose to put their country first ahead of profits in their music businesses. He was a true patriot,” he said. Brown (50) died last Friday at Parirenyatwa Hospital. He will be buried at his rural home in Mberengwa on Thursday.

Burial was postponed from tomorrow to allow his children and relatives abroad to arrive. The body of Andy Brown whose real name was Cadia Shoko at birth up until Grade Seven, will lie in state at his Cranborne house tonight and leave for Mberengwa tomorrow.

“We saw it fit to move the day of burial from Wednesday as we wait for the arrival of his daughter Divona from New Zealand as well as his brother Ushe who lives in the United States.

“However, whatever we wanted to do will be done tomorrow and we appeal to those who want to attend the burial to come in their numbers. We have arranged a bus and other private cars to ferry those who want to travel to Mberengwa,” said Brown’s uncle Mr Douglas Ncube.

Andy Brown will buried near Chavengwa Primary School under Chief Mudavanhu.

In its recommendation, Zanu PF Harare Province indicated that Andy Brown supported the land reform programme which saw him drop his popularity among those who opposed to the programme.

“People got upset with him for mixing his music with politics. He held the position of secretary for information and publicity in Takawira branch under Mukuvisi District (DCC5) the position he held until his death.”

Andy Brown is survived by his wife Nadine and 10 children. The Herald