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George Maponga in GUTU
The late Vice President Dr Simon Vengai Muzenda will this year be remembered in style with a commemorative half marathon, traditional dance competition and an all-night music gala set to be held at Paradise Park Hotel in Mpandawana Town in his honour.
Vice President Muzenda, the “Soul of the Nation” died on September 20, 2003 at the age of 81. An annual sporting event, the Dr Mzee Gutu Half Marathon was held in his honour following his demise before a hiatus for several years.
Now the annual Dr Mzee Gutu Half Marathon is set for a return on November 2 this year. Prizes worth over US$80 000 will be won in the various marathon categories with the biggest winner set to walk away with a US$3 000 cash prize, plus a trophy and certificate.
Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in the Office of the President and Cabinet and Masvingo provincial Senator Lovemore Matuke, who comes from Gutu area, yesterday chaired a Dr Mzee Gutu Half Marathon preparatory meeting where he called on Zimbabweans from all sectors to take a part in making sure the late veteran nationalist was remembered in style.
“We are going to have a bigger and expanded Dr Mzee Gutu Half Marathon this year. We will hold the Dr Mzee Gutu Half Marathon on 2 November here at Paradise Park Hotel and prizes over US$80 000 will be at stake,” said Minister Matuke.
“We will be celebrating the life of a national hero who was well known as a man of peace and love, who was committed to the development of Zimbabwe and its people.
Minister Matuke appealed to individuals and the corporate world to chip in towards the successful hosting of this year’s half marathon.
“Talent identification and improving the plight of the vulnerable and downtrodden was very close to the late Vice President’s heart and I am also calling on Zimbabweans from all walks of life to remember this icon by making sure the values that he stood for continue to be replicated for the benefit of present and future generations,” said Minister Matuke.
The late Vice President’s legacy is imprinted in several projects with a bearing towards socio-economic transformation that were implemented in many parts of the country, but especially in Masvingo Province.
“He facilitated the building of many schools, clinics and even irrigation schemes that are still benefiting many people today, so we want to honour a larger-than-life character who was committed to the welfare of the Zimbabweans.”
The late Vice President’s son Captain Vitalis Vengai Muzenda said they were reviving the Dr Mzee Gutu Half Marathon as a way of honouring a man who dedicated his life to the service of others.
“We have revived the annual Dr Mzee Gutu Half Marathon and this year it will be bigger and prizes will be galore. We are honouring the late Vice President who always yearned to develop and nurture talent, especially amongst the disadvantaged members of the society. We are not only having a marathon competition this year, but we will also be holding a musical gala and it is our hope that from this year, the event will be held annually as a way of remembering our icon,” he said.
Five-time Dr Mzee Gutu Half Marathon winner in the main 21km men’s race Jonathan Chikukwa, who is in this year’s organising committee for the event, said he was happy that the marathon was coming back as it would help in the identification of talent, especially amongst participants from marginalised communities.
He said the late Vice President Muzenda will always be remembered for the positive impact he had on the lives of the marginalised, pointing out that platforms like the annual Dr Mzee Gutu Half Marathon always produce new athletes with potential to rise to the top.
Online Reporter