Chronicle EditorJudith Phiri, Business Reporter
MULTITUDES yesterday thronged Mbokodo Abattoir just outside Bulawayo to bid farewell to the facility owner and prominent businessman Noel Eric York.
Mr York a colourful figure, who was popularly known as Mbokodo or Boet to family and friends died last Sunday, at the age of 72, at his home in Burnside suburb after a long battle with cancer.
People from all walks of life, young and old came together to pay their last respects to the seasoned cattleman.
“Over 600 people gathered here today to pay their last respect to Mbokodo.
His body will be cremated and buried at a family cemetery at a private family ceremony at Marula Village, Bulilima,” said his brother, Mr Alan York.
Mbokodo, a fluent speaker of the iSiNdebele language had been receiving treatment for the past two and a half years and was on medication at the time of his death.
He died in his sleep.
“He was receiving treatment in South Africa up until a point when doctors noticed that he was losing the fight against cancer and recommended that he should return home (Zimbabwe) and continue medication,” said Mr York.
Mr York described his late brother as a community pillar who strived for the betterment of livestock the herd and farmers both communal and commercial.
“He was the patriarch of the family who started the popular Mbokodo Abattoirs.
For us as a family, he leaves a rich legacy of hard work, and visible commitment to serve his community of Matabeleland.
He was empowering the community through employment and supplying the retail sector with quality meat.
On a day, he would slaughter about 100 cattle,” he said.
Mr Philani Moyo, a livestock farmer based in Figtree said Mbokodo was a dedicated farmer who always offered the best deal to livestock farmers.
“He always gave cattle traders a fair deal in terms of prices and he was passionate about livestock and ensuring that the country’s livestock herd improves,” said Mr Moyo.
Mbokodo is survived by four children.
Mbokodo Abattoir and the Butchery is located on the outskirts of Bulawayo along Bulawayo-Plumtree Road.
Online Reporter