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Joseph Madzimure
Senior Reporter
THE late Cde Gregory Turner, an avid anti-sanctions campaigner, who died last month and was declared a Liberation War Hero was buried at his Chifumbi Farm in Goromonzi yesterday.
He was 79.
Scores of people thronged the farm which he co-owned with Cde Bruce Ngavi to pay their last respects to the Afro-American who was convicted in the United States after he had campaigned for the unconditional removal of the illegal economic sanctions against Zimbabwe.
The burial proceedings were in line with Covid-19 World Health Organisation protocols.
The US citizen after serving time relocated to Zimbabwe where he was received with open arms as he was an unwavering Pan-Africanist.
His close family friend, former US member of Illinois House of representatives Mr Kenneth Dunkin and his daughters flew from the US to attend his burial.
In her address during the burial of Cde Turner, who grabbed international limelight after his conviction in America for denouncing the baneful sanctions on Zimbabwe,Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, who was represented by her deputy Hon Kindness Paradza said the late liberation hero was a Pan Africanist to the core.
“Gregory Turner was a great man. A distinguished Pan-Africanist in his own right. He was a patriot to the core who defied the white supremacy administration in Washington in favour of his African roots.
During our numerous interactions with him before his death, Cde Turner had brilliant ideas which he wanted implemented to make Zimbabwe great again. He was well connected and knowledgeable about history and current affairs. Prior to his unfortunate demise, he had lined up a number of influential Black Americans to come and invest in Zimbabwe,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Cde Turner was one of the champions of the African Liberation Museum and had also arranged study tours to the United States including lining up meetings between Zimbabwean Ambassador to the US, Mr Kwame Muzavazi, and several black Americans such as Robert Cool Bell, Celestine Palmer, the founder of African American Women’s Political Action Committee, Lonnie Bunch 111, Secretary of the Smithsonian, and Mr Dunkin among other influential figures.
“Together with Mr Cool Bell, he developed “#ZimisKool” for our tourism sector. When Paris Hilton visited Victoria Falls in June, Cde Turner took her out for dinner and discussed a number of business opportunities available in Zimbabwe.
“In Victoria Falls, Cde Turner had made arrangements with the local authorities to set up the Mohammed Ali African Memorial Park and had already secured the presence, at the anticipated launch, of Mohammed Ali’s daughter Khaliah,” she said.
Affectionately known as GT, Cde Turner was a charismatic and flamboyant character who fancied African wear complete with an African headgear.
Speaking at the same occasion, the Zimbabwe Liberation War Veterans Association chairman Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa who was a close friend to the late Turner said Cde Turner sacrificed his life for the removal of sanctions.
“He was a Pan Africanist to the heart. He is from Chicago, United States of America. He took the issues of Zimbabwe to his heart particularly when the country was slapped with the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZIDERA) sanctions,” he said.
When Barack Obama became president of the US, Ambassador Mutsvangwa said the Turner felt that the unjust sanctions against Zimbabwe could be reversed.
“He decided to organise a delegation from the state of Illinois. The delegation was led by Kenneth Dunkin who is here today. They came and saw our leaders and went back to the USA and said what was being done to Zimbabwe was not right. Unfortunately, the FBI, together with some local Zimbabweans were shadowing our friend the late Gregory Turner. They compiled a dossier of his activities and had him arrested under American laws for breaching ZIDERA. He was sentenced to 15 months in a federal court in Illinois, Chicago. When he was freed he came back to the country which he loved and he resumed his work of linking Zimbabwe, linking Africa with its diaspora.”
For him, Ambassador Mutsvangwa said the Atlantic Ocean was not a barrier.
He commended President Mnangagwa and the ruling party Zanu PF for according him the hero status.
His close friend Mr Dunkin said Cde Turner loved Zimbabwe, its potential, history and its future.
“He was against the sanctions, they are unjustified. He brought us here. He told us to come here so that we can appreciate that what was important was the people of this great land. You will see why Zimbabwe is the bread basket of Africa. He also said that the future of Zimbabwe under the stewardship of President Mnangagwa is bright,’’ he said.
Daughter to the late hero, Nekmahdiyah Turner, who was representing the family, commended President Mnangagwa and the ruling party Zanu PF for according her father a liberation hero status.
“We are overjoyed that he is buried in a unique way. His legendary status leaves for ever.
“We are happy with the recognition accorded to our father. He was a champion of democracy. He fought for equality among the black and the whites,” said Ms Turner
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