by Gretinah Machingura, Zhang Yuliang
HARARE, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- African leaders and special envoys from developing countries on Saturday joined Zimbabweans in paying tribute to the late former President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, who died in Singapore last week at the age of 95.
Several former and current African heads of state, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Kenya's Uhuru Kenyatta and Equatorial Guinea President Teodore Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, attended the state funeral service at the giant National Sports Stadium in Harare.
Envoys from China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, Venezuela and Nicaragua, among countries outside Africa, also attended the grand service.
Mugabe's body was on display on Thursday and Friday at Rufaro Stadium in Harare's Mbare township, where thousands of mourners viewed his body.
Drawn from all walks of life, Zimbabweans filled the 60,000 seat National Sports Stadium on Saturday to bid farewell to the nation's founding leader at a historic and befitting send-off ceremony that was marked by all the pageantry of an official state funeral.
The military mounted a funeral parade for the late leader, a unique and highest form of honor marked by a 21-gun salute and a fly past, for the late leader who has been hailed by many as a pan-Africanist and a liberation icon.
Mugabe, who ruled Zimbabwe for nearly four decades until he resigned in 2017, will be buried later at the National Heroes Acre in Harare after completion of a special mausoleum that is being built for him at the top of the shrine.
A teary Walter Chidhakwa spoke on behalf of the Mugabe family and thanked the multitudes of Zimbabweans and foreign dignitaries who came to join them in mourning Mugabe.
"He worked well with you Heads of State and Government and he never would have wanted anything done that was below par and below standard," said Chidhakwa, the Mugabe family representative and Member of Parliament for Zvimba South. Mugabe's rural home is in Zvimba.
"Our father had very strong family views. The language of unity and togetherness was his language. He detested tribalism, he wanted a nation that was united and I hope and have confidence that as we remember him, we recall his voice calling us to unite as a nation," Chidhakwa said.
He said Mugabe was very particular about the virtues of honesty, integrity and consistency.
In their eulogies, the former and current African leaders as well as special envoys from outside Africa paid glowing tribute to the late Mugabe for his distinguished role in the liberation of the African continent from colonial rule.
They also praised him for his ideals and principled stance against neo-colonialism and his championing of black economic empowerment.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who spoke last, said the nation will forever cherish and guard jealously the rich legacy that had been left by Mugabe.
"For many years and generations to come, we shall continue to draw inspiration from the life, courage, valor and bravery of this great man. A true statesman who resolutely defended our country throughout his life," Mnangagwa said.
He thanked the foreign dignitaries that came to mourn with Zimbabwe, and said the country was humbled by their presence.
The presence of the many foreign dignitaries was testimony that the late Mugabe was indeed loved by many across the globe, Mnangagwa said.
He assured the former First Lady Grace Mugabe of the government's continued support to her and the family.
He also called for the unconditional and immediate lifting of Western sanctions on Zimbabwe as a befitting tribute to Mugabe's legacy.
"May the world honor our late revolutionary icon Comrade Mugabe by ensuring that sanctions are immediately removed. We say give our country a re-birth and a new start. Remove sanctions now, we do not deserve them," Mnangagwa said.
He said his government will continue to consolidate, deepen and entrench values that Mugabe fought for that include democracy, constitutionalism and the rule of law.
He added that his government will not reverse the land reform that was pioneered by Mugabe, declaring that the program was "sacred, complete and finished".
"We remain firm and unshakable on this matter. The challenge on us now is to be productive as we modernize and mechanize our agricultural processes," Mnangagwa said.
After the official speeches, foreign dignitaries had a chance to view the body of Mugabe in the stadium and pay their last respects.
