Rebecca Mafikeni MDC Youth Assembly deputy Organising Secretary for Harare province who died yesterday morning, 12 August 2013 has been described as a fearless fighter, grassroots mobiliser par excellent and a great soldier of the people’s struggle.
Born on the 24th of June 1984, Rebecca joined MDC at its formation in 1999 at the age of 15. She was a dedicated, loyal and committed liberator who has proved beyond doubt that she is indeed a true revolutionary in this fight for democracy and the real emancipation of the ordinary sons and daughters of Zimbabwe.
In May 2011, Rebecca was arrested together with 29 others including Youth president Solomon Madzore, dubbed the Glenview 29. Chikurubi Maximum Prison was her home for more than 2 years. She was denied bail several times. She died in custody.
Grieved party members, friends, relatives and people from across the divide are gathered at No 34, 5th Avenue in Warren Park 1, Harare. She will be buried tomorrow.
Youth commander Mafikeni, whose cadreship, loyalty and strength was evident in her dedicated mobilisation, strive for unity of purpose and unwavering stance on the respect of principles and values, died in custody while being admitted at Parirenyatwa hospital.
Rebecca was a cheerful person who strove to create an environment of inclusivity, unity and peace. She campaigned vigorously for the party in all election campaigns. She was known for bringing order and organising party programmes in Harare and across the country.
She rose through the ranks of the party to becoming a prolific young leader to which the party was blessed. The Youth Assembly, the party and the entire nation has lost a promising leader and visionary whose daily strides were aimed at bringing freedom, liberation and upliftment of all Zimbabweans.
The comrade has sadly suddenly left us in a brutal way reminiscent to the fate that befell the country on the eve of independence when revolutionary Tongogara was whisked away from the freedom train.
Her untimely death also comes at a time when Zimbabwe has been robbed of its hope i.e. the stolen victory.
The struggle for democracy and emancipation of the people of Zimbabwe has suffered a huge blow, and the gap she has left will be hard to fill. The Youth Assembly will however remain resolute. The fighting spirit and resilience of the departed leader will inspire the movement to finish the struggle.
Go well soldier of the people’s struggle
For and on behalf of the MDC Youth Assembly
Clifford Hlatywayo
National Youth Spokesperson
