Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, [email protected]
AT the reception desk of Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls, a green plastic jar now sits empty. For years, it was never like this. The jar was always filled with fresh flowers — soft lilies, bright yellow daisies, and carefully chosen blooms that brought life to the room. There was always gentle humming too, as guests walked through the lobby.
Now, there is only silence.
The jar belonged to Tizhani Mbozi (51), a much-loved florist whose presence became part of the hotel’s everyday life. Her flowers brightened the corridors, but it was her warmth and kindness that truly stood out. She had a way of turning strangers into friends.
Since last Saturday, both the flowers and the cheerful voice are gone.
Those who knew her say the silence left behind feels heavier than anything that was said at her funeral.
Mbozi was one of eight members of the Roman Catholic Church who died in a tragic road accident at Deka Bridge along Deka Road in Hwange on May 23. They had been returning from a prayer meeting.
The news sent shockwaves through Victoria Falls and left the Catholic community in deep mourning.
Dressed each day in her black-and-white work uniform, carrying her green jar and wearing her bright, toothy smile, Mbozi had become part of the identity of Elephant Hills Resort.
She did more than arrange flowers, she created comfort.
Every morning at dawn, before most guests had even woken up, she would move quietly through the hotel lounges. She replaced fading blooms with fresh ones, carefully choosing colours that would lift the mood and brighten every corner. As she worked, she often hummed church hymns under her breath.
Many visitors who stayed at the hotel for only a short time still left knowing her name.
“She was the heart of this lobby. Now you walk in and it feels grey,” said one of her former colleagues, fighting back tears.
She described Mbozi as someone who carried joy wherever she went.
“She had a gift of making people feel welcome. Even when she was tired, she would still smile and greet everyone warmly. It is hard to imagine this place without her,” said the colleague.
On Wednesday afternoon, sorrow filled St Josephine Bakitha Roman Catholic Church in Victoria Falls, where hundreds gathered for a mass funeral service for Mbozi and the seven other victims.
Inside the church, a heavy silence fell as mourners looked at eight caskets placed before the altar.
The other victims were Nyoni Gertrude (62), Masuku Jane (72), Mwale Telia (52), Fungai Shumba (40), Mandinyenya Ngonidzashe (37), Thomas Muzamba (46) and four-year-old Keila Nduba.
Friends, family and fellow church members spoke of people who had lived their lives through faith, prayer and service to others.
Some remembered little Keila as a child who had just learnt to sing the “Hail Mary” prayer on her own. Others spoke about Mbozi’s belief that beauty — even something as simple as flowers — was one of God’s gifts, able to lift a troubled heart.
During the service, a condolence message from Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga was read out.
“I received the news of the tragic road accident which claimed the precious lives of eight devoted members of the Roman Catholic Church at Deka Bridge in Hwange as they were returning from prayer with a deep sense of grief and shock.
“On behalf of the Government, my family and on my own behalf, I wish to extend our deepest condolences to you, the Diocese of Hwange, the bereaved families and the entire Catholic community. This loss has touched the conscience of our nation.”
He assured mourners that the Government stood with them during this painful time.
“In this painful moment, we stand in solidarity with all who mourn. We pray that God grants the grieving families comfort and strength, the injured survivors healing and all affected individuals peace. May the diocese find solace in faith and may the souls of the faithful departed rest in eternal peace,” he said.
Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo, represented by Mr Godfrey Mukwakwami, also delivered a message of support. He said the Government would ensure no family was left behind, with assistance including transport, caskets and food.
Outside the church, thousands of residents of Victoria Falls queued quietly to pay their final respects. Some stood in silence, while others could not hold back their tears.
But for Mbozi’s colleagues at Elephant Hills Resort, the grief has not ended.
Each morning, they walk past the reception desk and see the green jar still standing there — empty, untouched, waiting.
And in that quiet space, they are reminded that the woman who once filled the hotel with colour, kindness and life will never walk through those doors again.
