On a quiet piece of land in Centenary, at the heart of Mashonaland Central Province, the sun set on the life of Cde Luke Mushore — war veteran, farmer, parliamentarian, patriot — on 15 June 2025. He died at Braebone Farm, surrounded by the soil he had once fought to liberate and later worked to feed the nation.
Cde Mushore was 76.
To many, he was a respected ZANU PF stalwart, a former Chairman for Mashonaland Central, and twice-elected Member of Parliament for Muzarabani North. But to those who knew him personally, he was a father of 21, grandfather of 61, a man of the people — and above all, a revolutionary whose life was forged in the fires of Zimbabwe’s struggle for independence.
Humble Beginnings, Radical Awakening
Born on 13 June 1949 in Mushore Village, Madziwa District, Luke Mushore was the third of five children. His early life in rural Zimbabwe was shaped by colonial restrictions and rural hardship. The son of Joram and Makandipei Mushore, young Luke was bright and curious — traits that would set him on a path far beyond the boundaries of his village.
In 1958, he enrolled at Chahwanda Primary School, before moving on to Bernard Mzeki College in 1965. It was at Bernard Mzeki that the seeds of rebellion were sown. Disturbed by the institutional racism of the Anglican-run school and broader colonial injustices, the teenage Mushore organized student protests. His activism came at a cost — he was expelled. But that act of defiance ignited a fire in him that would never burn out.
A Guerrilla with a Cause: The Birth of Dick Joboringo
Soon after, Mushore took up the nom de guerre “Dick Joboringo” and joined the liberation movement. While many chose the battlefield, he also fought in the ideological trenches — organizing, educating, mobilizing. His charisma and sharp political instincts quickly elevated him within the ranks.
Throughout the 1970s, Joboringo became a respected figure among comrades, known for his resilience, discipline, and fearlessness in the face of Rhodesian repression.
The Politician and the People’s Servant
Following independence in 1980, Cde Mushore remained committed to the cause of empowerment and nation-building. He served ZANU PF faithfully in the Muzarabani district, rising through the ranks to become a District Coordinating Committee (DCC) member.
His national political career peaked in 2005, when he was elected Member of Parliament for Muzarabani. He later served on the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Security, contributing to vital decisions around Zimbabwe’s safety and sovereignty. Re-elected in 2008 to represent Muzarabani North, he continued to campaign tirelessly for ZANU PF, often leading from the front during general elections.
The Farmer-Patriot
When the land reform programme gathered momentum, Cde Mushore didn’t just support it — he embodied it. He became one of Mashonaland Central’s most successful farmers, turning Braebone Farm into a model of post-liberation agricultural transformation. He was known not just for tilling the land, but for sharing his knowledge with fellow farmers, championing food security, and mentoring the next generation of agrarian leaders.
Recognition and Reverence
Upon his death, President Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and the ZANU PF Politburo recognized Cde Mushore’s enduring legacy by conferring upon him the National Hero Status — one of the country’s highest honors.
His journey from expelled student to revolutionary, from legislator to farmer, was a testament to his unwavering commitment to Zimbabwe’s liberation and development. His life story is etched not just in Hansard or party archives, but in the hearts of villagers, veterans, and visionaries across the nation.
A Family Man with a Legacy
Beyond politics, Cde Mushore was a deeply committed family man. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Chipo Mushore (née Musiwapinda), 21 children, and an impressive 61 grandchildren. Those close to him describe him as firm but fair, humorous, and grounded — a man who never lost touch with his roots.
Final Rest for a Soldier of the Soil
As the nation prepares to lay him to rest at the National Heroes Acre, a familiar phrase echoes from the lips of many who knew him: “A true son of the soil.”
Indeed, Cde Luke Mushore lived and died on Zimbabwean soil — the same soil he once fought to reclaim, later cultivated with pride, and ultimately gave his life defending through service.
His was a life of purpose, power, and principle. A life that Zimbabwe will not soon forget.
“Rest in peace, Cde Dick Joboringo. The struggle continues, but your place among the heroes is eternal.”
