mbulelo smpofu
Nkosilathi Sibanda
ONE of the city’s most hardworking business women, philanthropist and devout Catholic, Mrs Constance Kunzekweguta, who died on Tuesday last week, has been described as a humble soul, who dedicated all her life for the betterment of the underprivileged and marginalised communities.
Mrs Kunzekweguta, who died on 22 April at Mater Dei Hospital, was the wife to businessman Mr Clemence Kunzekweguta.
She was a co-director at Fort Investment Private Limited and Kunze Enterprises which trades as Zero Suppliers Enterprises, a company she led together with her husband.
Born on 1 August 1963 in Buhera District, Manicaland Province, Mrs Kunzekweguta was an instrumental pillar in as many lives in Bulawayo and beyond.
Condolences from family, friends and the business society in the city displayed how warm hearted Mrs Kunzekweguta was.
In his outpouring reminisce, Mr Kunzekweguta said they lost one person who made sure “things” were done the proper way at Zero Suppliers Enterprises and in other spheres of society where she played a role.
He said Mrs Kunzekweguta stretched out her service through being involved in a number charitable works in the community and at church as well.
“We are at loss as a family. She was a guiding pillar, teacher by profession. Both of us were teachers. She taught for a long time, here in Bulawayo and Manicaland, before we got into business. She was instrumental also in other activities within the city. She was in the City of Bulawayo Festivities Committee that does a lot of work during the Christmas period. These activities are done at the Centenary Park, Nketa Park and also for the community of MacDonald in Mzilikazi suburb.
“She worked so hard in that committee and was the one who spearheaded the enactment of the birth of Christ at the Centenary Park. She worked closely with Mrs Nesisa Mpofu of the City of Bulawayo. By virtue of being a Catholic Mrs Kunzekweguta was the Head of the Childhood Missionary Association at the Lady of Lords Parish, she would diligently guide our children towards a faithful and humble way of serving the Lord and the community. She did so in a quiet and effective way,” said Mr Kunzekweguta.
He said his wife was quite reserved and owed the success of their business ventures to her.
“In as much as I am the face of the business at Zero Suppliers, as many people saw me in the public, my wife was the one doing most of the work behind the scenes.
“Besides being a teacher, she dedicated her time to help a lot of people in the city, in particular the girl child. She had strong Christian values. She sent some of them to school. Also in her impact in religious life, she helped get to school two priests and one of them is set to celebrate his Virgil Mass here.”
The late Mrs Kunzekweguta’s younger sister, Mrs Jesca Maphosa was at pains narrating how her sister helped them to raise their families.
“She took responsibility to raise us and never got tired when it came to helping her family members. I became a teacher and a Christian because of her. Many of our children went to school being inspired by her. She was a pillar. We will forever cherish her works,” she said.
Mrs Kunzekweguta’s mother-in-law, Mrs Eusabia Nyarai Kunzekweguta said she has lost a dear friend.
“She was my first daughter-in-law. A friend who I confided in. Never in our lives did we quarrel. May the Lord receive her and help us, we that remain behind to be comforted and learn from her works.”
Mr Kunzekweguta thanked the city council for its decision to have Mrs Kunzekweguta be buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery.
“We are grateful to the Town Clerk and the city fathers for this gesture. The burial is on Monday and the service will start at 8AM at the Lady of Lourdes here in Kumalo,” he said.
Mrs Kunzekweguta is survived by her husband and five children, two sons and three daughters and a grand child.
Mourners are gathered at the family residence, Number 6 Butler Road in Kumalo suburb.
Bongani Ndlovu