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FORMER Beitbridge Rural District Council vice-chairperson and prominent businessman in the border town, Dr January Rachilumela Makakavhule-Moyo has died.He was 74.
Dr Makakavhule-Moyo died in Johannesburg, South Africa on December 6 following a short illness and was declared a liberation war hero.
He was buried on Saturday at the local district heroes’ acre at Makakavhule village. Hundreds of mourners, among the Minister of Home Affairs, Cde Kembo Mohadi, his wife, Senator Tambudzani and Member of Parliament for Beitbridge West, Cde Metrine Mudau, gathered at the local shrine to bid farewell to the veteran educationist-cum-politician.
Makakavhule-Moyo, 74, was honoured with a three gun salute. Speaker after speaker spoke well of the late Dr Makakavhule-Moyo describing him as a tireless and dedicated liberation war hero who was totally committed to the development of the country. In a graveside eulogy, Cde Mohadi described the late Dr Makakavhule-Moyo as a true son of the soil who would be greatly missed for his great works.
“Dr January Rachilumela Makakavhule-Moyo was a man of fine qualities who was instrumental towards the development of Beitbridge and the country at large.
“I worked with him both as a local Member of Parliament and a Government minister in various portfolios and he was a great man to work with and a good planner.
“In fact, Makakavhule-Moyo was an embodiment of true leadership and self-esteem who spearheaded development for his people. Despite being highly educated, he remained a humble man who was willing to learn and share knowledge hence we should emulate him,” said Cde Mohadi.
He added: “Heroes don’t die but fade away and they will one day regroup. We will certainly forever remember Makakavhule-Moyo for his good works. He had a great love for his country and was indeed an outstanding figure, which is why he was accorded liberation war hero status.
“Let us continue to celebrate his life, a life well lived. He fought a good fight and won it and he is now out of our statutes but we will forever cherish his great legacy.”
Beitbridge Rural District Council’s chief executive officer Albert Mbedzi said Dr Makakavhule-Moyo’s death was a sad loss to the community of Beitbridge and the entire country.
“I am sure Dr Makakavhule-Moyo died a happy person after achieving some of his goals, particularly on issues revolving around the development of the district.
“He was one of the greatest sons of the community and the nation at large who proved to be a hard worker from the days as councillor under the Beitbridge RDC to his death,” he said.
Born on January 1, 1939, Dr Makakavhule-Moyo was a political activist. He trained as a teacher in 1962 following a two-year stint as a temporary teacher.
Soon after completing training, he taught at various schools in Beitbridge District for about 57 years until he retired from the profession in 2004 and ventured into farming business.
He is survived by his wife, Tshifhumulo and five children. He was a political activist from the early 1960s until independence in 1980.
Between 1985 and 2008, Dr Makakavhule-Moyo was a councillor in Beitbridge Rural District Council during which he also chaired a sub-committee on finance and tender before he was elected vice-chairperson for the local authority.
Dr Makakavhule-Moyo contributed to the liberation struggle through sourcing and supplying resources for the freedom fighters.
During the height of the liberation struggle, he was at one time ambushed and shot by the then Rhodesian armed forces as he was carrying supplies for freedom fighters.
As a result, Dr Makakavhule-Moyo sustained injuries on both legs. He was taken to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo where he was detained under police guard while being interrogated and tortured by the brutal Rhodesian security agents, who were denying him access to treatment.
After independence, Dr Makakavhule-Moyo served Zanu-PF in various structures both at district and provincial levels.
Online Reporter