malvernmugadzikwa
Tendai Rupapa
Senior Reporter
ANGEL OF HOPE FOUNDATION patron First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has stressed the need for the younger generation to be guided by the counsel of elders and learn valuable lessons for onward transmission to the next generations.
She made the remarks at the funeral service of Gogo Charity Bayipayi (76), the mother of Mrs Kezina Sibanda, who is married in the Mnangagwa family.
Mrs Sibanda is also an Angel of Hope Foundation board member.
Earlier, President Mnangagwa had paid his condolences at the funeral.
In her remarks, the First Lady chronicled the journey she walked with Gogo Bayipayi, whom she said had a warm heart and constructive ideas.
“Let me say that I have come to share my journey with Gogo. I knew her a long time ago because her daughter Kezina is my daughter-in-law. She is married in the Mnangagwa family. She is also part of the Angel of Hope Foundation team, but today I have come to speak specifically about Gogo Bayipayi. I believe each and every one of us here has a story to tell about Gogo; she touched many lives,” she said.
Amai Mnangagwa said Gogo Bayipayi was always there to give a listening ear and wise counsel.
“Personally, she walked with me. She touched my life and my heart. I would turn to her for wise counsel. Whatever you shared with her, you would not hear it from anyone else. She became my friend and she would call me ‘muface wangu’. Gogo’s free spirit enabled me to talk to her and seek advice on certain issues. She also gave us a hardworking daughter-in-law, Kezina. I also want to thank Regis, Kezina’s husband, who linked us with the Bayipayis, where Gogo was married. We became one family,” she said.
The mother of the nation also shared information on the deceased’s personal attributes.
“I thank Gogo for giving us her daughter, whom I am able to stand up and share her kind and good heart. She chooses to remain empty-handed while helping others. Here, a part of Gogo’s heart went to her daughter. Gogo Bayipayi groomed me in many aspects and I learnt a lot from her. I have my daughters-in-law present; they also got along well with her as she taught them the meaning of life and what is expected of them sevaroora. If a woman reaches such an age, she is a mother and grandmother to all, hence she was always there for everyone. It is good for the young generation to listen to elders and not run away from the counsel of those older than you. Their teachings are valuable and beneficial. Everything that the elders tell us must be embraced. We have been left behind, but her teachings linger on. To all relatives and friends, ndinoti Mwari vakunyaradzei panguva yakaoma kudai,” the First Lady said.
Speaking at the same occasion, family representative Mr Jonathan Chinguwo gave a brief account of the life of the deceased.
He also thanked the First Family for its attendance and words of comfort.
“I represent the Bayipayi family semuzukuru uye sababa at the same time. Gogo Bayipayi was my uncle’s wife. I knew her since I was a child in primary school. In the 1980s, I would visit her home to assist her in whatever she needed, be it gardening or anything. As a family, we learnt a lot from her teachings. She taught us to live well in our homes and to relate well with others in communities that we lived in.
“From a tender age, she taught us not to steal, to be united and love one another, and to always get along with our peers. She advised us to put God first in everything we did. We held on to those teachings up to this day and they keep us going. I never drank beer or smoked because of her teachings. My father died while I was young, and Gogo’s wise counsel made us what we are today. She gave us love and she has left us a challenge to be united and walk in the teachings she gave us. Her other name is Rudo and, sezita ravo, she had so much love,” he said.
He added: “I want to thank the First Lady, Amai vedu, for her comforting and constructive words, and this only shows how good Gogo Bayipayi was. I am proud of the words shared by Amai.”
Ms Rachel Nield, an Angel of Hope Foundation board member, paid tribute to the late Gogo Bayipayi for being a kind and selfless person.
She spoke about how Gogo Bayipayi always emulated the First Lady’s hard work through her foundation and sometimes would offer a helping hand.
“I may not be able to fully honour this great woman we are celebrating today. She is a woman who changed many lives. She would feed and clothe those in need; she did it all. Gogo was indeed a guide, an intercessor. She always brought smiles to people’s faces. She had those characteristics that God asks us to develop. Whenever Amai, the First Lady, was going for her outreach programmes to help the needy through her Angel of Hope Foundation, Gogo Bayipayi would ask for yarn balls so that she could knit woollen clothes and hats for babies. She would then give to mhamha to hand out. She would knit sacks of those clothes and hats. We all loved this woman. We cannot bear the pain. To Mrs Kezina Sibanda, Gogo is proud of you; you inherited her heart and kindness. Thank you for taking good care of our mother. To our Angel of Hope Foundation patron, the First Lady, thank you, mhamha, for your love and kindness; we are learning a lot from you,” she said.
Reverend Blessing Shambare and Reverend Alpha John from the Anglican Church led the church service.
Rev Shambare said: “Gogo Bayipayi would want everyone to feel comfortable around her. She was a giver and a unifier, and we all tapped into her wisdom and grace. Today we are here tichichema tiri pamwe chete semhuri and munhu atibatanidza pano uye atiunganidza ndiGogo Bayipayi. Even in death, she remains a unifier. Nothing separates us from the love of God. Gogo has rested. Isu vapenyu tisu tasara nebasa; basa rekuti tidanane.”
Rev John took time to appreciate the First Lady and her Angel of Hope Foundation.
“Amai, I want to thank you for the Angel of Hope Foundation and your team that you work with. You have made a mark that will never be deleted. You are doing an amazing job for the people of Zimbabwe; you are touching lives and giving hope to the hopeless.”
Popular gospel musicians Francis Hawu Juma, Boys of Thunder and Men of Thunder provided music celebrating the life of Gogo Bayipayi.
Gogo Bayipayi is survived by three children.
She was buried yesterday at the Glen Forest Memorial Park.
Online Reporter