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Tendai Rupapa, Senior Reporter
First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa on Saturday paid her condolences to the Mupamhanga family following the death of Cde Justin Mupamhanga, the former Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet.
Cde Mupamhanga has since been declared a national hero.
He will be buried today at the National Heroes Acre.
Amai Mnangagwa who once worked with the national hero and his wife in the President’s Department, visited the Mupamhanga family home in Harare to commiserate.
Addressing mourners, the First Lady spoke glowingly of the hero Cde Mupamhanga describing him as a result-oriented person who was dedicated to his work in the Economics Division.
“I have come here to convey my deepest condolences and commiserate with you on this sad day ndichiti nematambudziko vana baba nanamai, tasanganiswa nerufu,” she said.
“It is indeed a sad day, but God has plans for each and every one of us. Mwari vane matongero avo uye rufu harujairike. VaMupanhanga has gathered us here together, ndivo vatidana pano vakati huyai muzopupura kuyenda kwangu ndosaka paine zviso zvakasiyanasiyana.
Muranda ati huyai mundiperekedze ndiri ndega ndinotya ndosaka vemakereke varipano nanababa vezvemweya.
First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa consoles Mrs Ida Mupamhanga wife to national hero former Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of President and Cabinet Cde Justin Mupamhanga at the family home in Harare on Saturday
I never thought on a day like this we would be gathered here mourning Baba Mupamhanga. If you see all and sundry coming out to mourn, it shows our strong relations, titori mhuri imwe kana takadai. As Zimbabweans, we come and commiserate with others. It also shows the type of person he was. He related well with others. Kungave kumabasa, ngatiwadzanei and let us all work in peace and harmony,” she said.
The mother of the nation went down memory lane narrating how she worked with Cde Mupamhanga and his wife.
“I have known this family for a long time. I worked with Baba Mupamhanga and his wife. He was a result-oriented man, his section always brought results. He was a great teacher who always had something to teach us or even those new on the job.
Vaive nekurudziro yekuti ngatishandei nesimba uye tichichengetedza basa,” she said.
The First Lady commended Mrs Mupamhanga for standing with her husband in sickness and in health, through thick and thin until the time of his death.
She made a clarion call for married couples to always stick together for better or worse, to always be prayerful, respecting each other and respecting the chastity of marriage.
“I want to thank Amai Mupamhanga who stood by her husband till he breathed his last. Vamwe vanokundikana along the way, sometimes leading to divorcing, but this woman did not dishonour her marriage vows. We should all pray for our marriages Mwari vari Mubatsiri wedu,” Amai Mnangagwa said.
“The whole family is now looking up to you. Baba is gone and the family is now under your care, therefore, you have to be strong. Kashoma kuti Mwari vanotora baba namai nguva imwechete vanosiya mumwe for a reason. The one who would have been left behind is the one who looks after the family,” she said.
First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa consoles Deputy Minister of Youth, Empowerment Development and Vocational Training Mr Kudakwashe Mupamhanga son to national hero former Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of President and Cabinet Cde Justin Mupamhanga at the family home in Harare on Saturday
Dr Mnangagwa also bemoaned the increase of juvenile delinquency countrywide, rallying parents and guardians to keep an eye on children.
“Today’s youth need constant supervision. Let us ensure our children remain morally upright and committed to their studies, while they shun social ills,” she said.
She also thanked those gathered for commiserating with the Mupamhanga family.
During this time of mourning, the First Lady implored the family and relatives to continue praying for Cde Mupamhanga’s soul, praising the Lord, and celebrating his life.
Son to the national hero, Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Deputy Minister Kudakwashe Mupamhanga said his father led an exemplary life.
He thanked Amai Mnangagwa for taking her time to visit the family to pay her condolences.
He said: “I would want to thank Amai, the First Lady on behalf of the family for taking her time to be with us during this trying time.
“Even when Baba was in hospital, Amai once visited him. Today she came to comfort us as a family, and we are grateful. Baba was a quiet person asi munhu aishanda nesimba uye he worked well with others. He was also a friend to everyone. As his children, if we become half of the man he was, tinenge tagona.”
First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa joins other mourners in song and dance during a church service at the family home of national hero Cde Justin Mupamhanga in Harare on Saturday. – Pictures: John Manzongo
Reverend Nyaradzai Matonga, who is also sister to the late national hero’s widow Mrs Idah Mupamhanga, also thanked Amai for commiserating with their family during this trying time.
“Amai you have shown us your love and humility, as a family, we are grateful. We thank you for coming and may the good Lord bless you now and forever,” she said.
Cde Mupamhanga is survived by wife Ida, four sons and seven grandchildren.
First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa interacts with Mrs Ida Mupamhanga at the family home in Harare on Saturday
First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa and Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Monica Mutsvangwa comfort Mrs Ida Mupamhanga while her son Deputy Minister of Youth, Empowerment Development and Vocational Training Mr Kudakwashe Mupamhanga look on at the family home in Harare on Saturday
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