Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]
WHAT began as a high-profile burial that brought Bulawayo to a standstill in 2024 reached another emotional peak on Tuesday, when the late socialite, community activist and marketplace champion Rose Nyathi — affectionately known as “Ugogo Wodumo” — was honoured with a grand tombstone unveiling at West Park Cemetery and Crematorium.
The ceremony, organised by prominent media personality and philanthropist Ezra “Tshisa” Sibanda, drew large crowds of market vendors, civic leaders and ordinary residents. They gathered to celebrate the life of a woman widely regarded as one of Bulawayo’s most fearless defenders of the poor and marginalised.
Nyathi, who died on October 19 two years ago after a long illness, left behind a strong legacy of grassroots activism and community leadership. Tuesday’s event turned the cemetery into a place of remembrance filled with emotion, music and poetry, showing that even in death, “Gogo Wodumo” still held a special place in the hearts of many.
Speaking at the unveiling, Sibanda said the occasion was more than a memorial, describing it as a celebration of a woman whose influence went beyond politics and the marketplace.
“Gogo Rose Nyathi was a celebrity figure in life, she got a celebrity burial that shook this province, and today, she receives a celebrity tombstone unveiling that immortalises her status. We are here to say that heroes are not only those who held guns, but those who defended the daily dignity of our people,” said Sibanda.
Before her death, Nyathi is said to have made a final request about where she wished to be buried, expressing a desire to rest among some of Bulawayo’s most respected figures. That wish has now been fulfilled.
Her grave at West Park Cemetery is now alongside some of the city’s notable personalities, including Prof Rev Haney Resten Sawasawa, Hon Justice Selo Lekang Masole Nare, football legends Tendai Ndoro, Adam Ndlovu and Rahman Allen “Dr Rush” Gumbo, former Highlanders chairman Ernest Sibangani Maphepha Sibanda, and civic leaders Isaiah Magagula and Alderman Elmon Mpofu.
For many who attended, her burial among such recognisable figures symbolised her place in the city’s social and cultural history. Community members said her efforts to defend market vendors and speak out against injustice earned her lasting recognition.
At the centre of the ceremony stood a newly unveiled US$2 800 marble tombstone, donated by businessman Jeffrey Nyevhe, the director of Bulawayo Northern Granites. His gesture was widely praised, especially at a time when many community figures are often forgotten after their burial.
Speaking at the event, Nyevhe said it was important to honour individuals like Nyathi in a meaningful way.
“Our leaders shouldn’t only be celebrated by words; they deserve to be honoured with permanence. This donation was a direct result of her immense, undeniable contributions to our society. When the poor were targeted, she stood in the way. When the city was neglected, she spoke up. It was my absolute duty as a businessman who benefits from this community to help the family, ensuring that her final monument reflects the grandeur of her spirit,” he said.
His contribution also brought relief to Nyathi’s family, who have faced financial challenges following her illness and the costs related to her memorial.
Family spokesperson Victor Mhlophe expressed deep gratitude for the support.
“As the head of this family, I stand here with a heart full of profound gratitude for the incredible work that has been done here today. To be completely open with the world, our family has been facing severe financial constraints since our sister fell ill, and the compounding costs left us in a very dark place. The reality of putting together a memorial and a tombstone of this high celebrity calibre on our own was an impossible mountain to climb. Seeing our sister honoured like a queen, without our financial limitations standing in the way, is a miracle we will thank Mr Nyevhe and Ezra for until our own days are done,” said Mhlophe.
For Nyathi’s children, however, the ceremony brought back deep emotions. Her third-born son, Kenneth Mufaro, spoke about the lasting impact she had on their lives.
“Our mother left a massive, aching gap in our lives that absolutely no one in this world can ever hope to fill. She was not just a public figure; she was our domestic anchor. She taught us unforgettable life lessons in self-sustenance, constantly drilling into us that we must never depend on handouts or wait for the world to give us a living. She wanted us to be strong, to work the soil, to handle business with integrity, and to stand independent,” he said.
Beyond the family, Nyathi’s passing has left a noticeable gap within Bulawayo’s marketplace community, where she was known as both a protector and a mediator.
Her former secretary, Sikhathazile Ndlovu, said her absence is already being felt.
“Gogo Wodumo was the very definition of order, kindness, and generosity. She was a true unifier who could sit two rival vendors down and have them laughing and sharing food within minutes. She helped us immensely when she was alive, standing as our shield against corruption and protecting our spaces. But now, she has left a huge, terrifying void. Without her voice of authority, a dangerous rift is slowly creeping in among us at the market,” said Ndlovu.
Despite her tough stance on injustice, mourners also remembered Nyathi as a joyful and lively person who brought happiness to those around her.
One of the most touching tributes came from MaNyathi from Burombo Flats in Makokoba, who spoke warmly about her personality.
“For six beautiful, unforgettable years, I had the absolute honour of knowing this lioness intimately. She stopped being just a friend — she became my true sister and family. Gogo Rose was a woman of unmatched strength, but she was also pure joy. She had a spirit that could lift the heaviest heart, a sense of humour that could dissolve any tension, and a laugh that echoed long after she’d left the room,” she said.
Although she is gone, those who gathered at West Park Cemetery said her legacy will continue to inspire. The tombstone now stands not just as a marker of her life, but as a symbol of resilience, courage and hope.
Community members pledged to carry on her work, ensuring that the spirit of “Gogo Wodumo” remains alive in Bulawayo for generations to come. – Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu
