Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa [email protected]
FOR families devastated by the Kariba boat tragedy, the arrival of First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa brought a deeply personal moment of comfort as she visited them in their hour of greatest pain.
Grief has become part of everyday life, with empty chairs, missing voices and unanswered questions reminding them of lives suddenly taken by the lake.
Yet yesterday, tears were briefly replaced by moments of comfort when the First Lady, who has remained in touch with the affected families since the tragedy struck, visited bereaved families and survivors in Kariba, embracing their pain as a mother would.
Dr Mnangagwa sat with the families, listening to their painful stories and offering words of comfort. As a mother, she shared in the anguish of those mourning children, parents, siblings and other loved ones whose lives were suddenly cut short.
Her visit was marked by the grief etched on the faces of mourners still struggling to comprehend the magnitude of the tragedy, as three more bodies were brought ashore from the unforgiving waters of Kariba Dam.
Dr Mnangagwa witnessed the retrieval, visibly moved as the bodies were brought ashore and families were confronted with another painful reminder of their loss.
It was an emotional moment for Mother Zimbabwe as she struggled to contain her tears.
She stood among the mourners not only as a national figure, but as a mother sharing the pain of other mothers.
She later joined the grieving community on the shores of Kariba Dam, singing with mourners in an emotional show of solidarity, prayer and togetherness.
The poignant moment brought the community together as families remembered loved ones who failed to make it home.
Dr Mnangagwa also met survivors, hearing first-hand accounts of the ordeal and the courage displayed during the tragedy.
Among the most heartbreaking yet inspiring stories to emerge from the disaster was that of 36-year-old Taurai Chalibamba, a mother whose extraordinary courage and selflessness saved seven lives, including those of her two children.
When the boat suddenly capsized, panic and terror swept through the waters, but Taurai refused to think only of her own survival.
In the midst of the chaos, she fought against the water, reaching out to those around her and risking her own life to pull seven people to safety.
For a mother facing the terrifying prospect of losing her own children, her instinct was not to save herself first, but to save others.
Her bravery came at a moment when every second meant the difference between life and death, making her actions one of the most powerful stories of courage to emerge from the tragedy.
Out of love and compassion as a mother herself, Dr Mnangagwa recognised Taurai’s extraordinary bravery with a cash gift, honouring a woman whose selfless actions gave seven people another chance at life.
Yet, standing among families mourning those who did not survive, Taurai’s story carried an even deeper poignancy.
She had survived the same waters that had claimed so many lives, carrying with her the memories of those she had fought so desperately to save.
Her courage became a moving reminder that even in the darkest moments, extraordinary acts of love and selflessness can emerge.
The boat capsized on August 11 while travelling from Kariba to Chalala, leaving more than 90 people dead and families across the country devastated.
President Mnangagwa has since declared the Kariba boat tragedy a State of disaster, underscoring the gravity of the loss and strengthening the national response.
Some families are mourning loved ones whose bodies have been recovered, while others remain trapped in the agonising uncertainty of waiting for news.
Addressing the bereaved, Dr Mnangagwa started by conveying heartfelt condolences from herself and President Mnangagwa, who has expressed profound sorrow over the loss of life.
“Kariba District was struck by a tragedy we never expected. We had no warning. We thought our two-day holiday was simply a time to commemorate our liberation and honour our Heroes and
Defence Forces, not knowing that on Defence Forces Day we would face such a devastating incident of this magnitude.
My husband, the President, sent me and said, ‘Amai, it has been a while since you have been grieving and mourning at home. I told him that I would go, and he said, “Go, Amai, and tell my children to accept my condolences and find comfort,” she said.
Mother Zimbabwe urged the bereaved to remain strong and called on the community to rally around affected families as they navigate the painful days ahead.
“The Government is standing with you at this time. It is also mourning and grieving with you. But what has happened has happened. Be strong. Comfort one another. Come together,” she said.
Dr Mnangagwa also commended teams involved in the search and recovery operation for their courage, dedication and commitment under extremely difficult conditions.
“I also want to thank the young men and women who have stood by Lake Kariba, searching everywhere and watching for those who may still be in the water—the Army, the police, the divers and the people in the boats,” she said.
For the departed, Dr Mnangagwa said: “To all those who have now left us, we say: God, we are only visitors on this earth. Please receive their souls and forgive them for any wrong they may have done, even if it was not deliberate.
“They came into this world, and You knew the day they would return to You. Lord, You knew their time. Receive Your children and forgive them.”
She expressed her deep personal pain over the tragedy, speaking not only as the First Lady but as a mother grieving alongside other mothers.
Dr Mnangagwa said the Kariba tragedy had sent shockwaves beyond Zimbabwe, with countries around the world expressing condolences and sharing the nation’s grief.
The First Lady called for unity between churches, traditional leaders and communities in comforting the bereaved, saying everyone had a role to play in helping families through their grief.
“To the churches, your work of comforting these families here in Kariba is important. Please do not grow weary. We have heard that you have been here every day. May God strengthen you and keep you here as you continue to comfort these grieving families.
“Sometimes a person may feel comforted by the church uniform you are wearing, the gathering they find themselves in or the words of comfort offered to them. But this is a time when people need comfort and reassurance,” she said.
For traditional leaders, Dr Mnangagwa said: “I say to the traditional leaders: Please sit down. We are asking you, as our leaders, to listen to what Lake Kariba is saying to us. There is a message in what has happened. Lake Kariba has cried. The storm has become angry. May that anger now subside.”
Mother Zimbabwe expressed particular anguish over the children who lost their lives, some of whom were barely a year old.
She said they had left happily, unaware of the tragedy that awaited them, leaving families without the precious children they once held in their arms.
Dr Mnangagwa urged Zimbabweans to stand together, saying the tragedy was a time for compassion, prayer and unity.
She also urged Zimbabweans to continue visiting and comforting affected families beyond the memorial gatherings, saying no one should be left to carry the burden of grief alone.
Dr Mnangagwa said while the nation must accept God’s will, any possible wrongdoing should also be examined carefully to establish how the tragedy occurred and prevent similar loss of life.
The First Lady also called on the public to heed safety warnings, particularly during severe weather, saying people should follow official instructions and protect themselves when warned of dangerous conditions.
For Julia Chisikanoka, the losses were almost too painful to bear. She had lost four children and the father of her children, while an eight-year-old girl remains unaccounted for.
Yet, amid the tears and heartbreak, the arrival of Mother Zimbabwe brought a moment of comfort to a community struggling to come to terms with its devastating losses.
“Only two people survived. I am still struggling to come to terms with what happened. However, today I felt a little relieved after meeting the First Lady. Her coming here to console us made us feel loved and remembered,” she said.
For survivor Beulah Jimu, the First Lady’s visit touched a wound that words could hardly describe.
She survived the tragedy but lost her only daughter, leaving her to carry the painful memories of the disaster.
“I am a survivor. I lost my only daughter. I felt relieved when the First Lady came. Although I cannot bring my child back, being comforted by the First Lady has lifted a burden from my heart,” she said.
Her words captured the cruel reality of the tragedy: some survived the lake, only to return home to empty spaces where their loved ones once were.
From Mola, Given Siyakanoka spoke of a loss that has left his family shattered.
“I lost 11 people, including my sister, her child and other relatives. It has been a torrid time for me, but today, after meeting our First Lady, I feel a little relieved,” he said.
His testimony added another painful chapter to a tragedy that has ripped through families and communities around Lake Kariba.
Another survivor, Tamari Nyoni, said she regarded her survival as a blessing after helping three people during the tragedy.
“I am happy that our Mother came to comfort us. I am grateful that I was spared and survived. I am leaving here happy because our Mother, Dr Mnangagwa, came to comfort us, her children. I truly appreciate it,” she said.
Local resident Blessing Tembo said the First Lady’s presence had brought a sense of comfort to people struggling under the weight of grief.
“As a nation, we have been greatly comforted. Our hearts told us that when Mother came, it meant something. Her message brought us together and comforted us greatly,” he said.
He said the tragedy should galvanise communities, churches and traditional leaders to work together to improve safety on Lake Kariba.
For women from local churches, including Salvation Army member Susan Chikuni, faith has become a source of strength as families struggle to mourn and heal.
“We are happy that our Mother, Dr Mnangagwa, came to us and we feel comforted. She encouraged us to remain steadfast in God. Even while mourning, as a church we will continue praying,” she said.
“Let us remain united as a church, love one another and help each other where there is need.”
Mrs Lizzy Nyandoro said the tragedy had also forced communities to confront the dangers surrounding the lake, calling on traditional leaders to revive customary practices that once helped protect people.
“Our plea is for traditional leaders to bring back the traditional practices of old. We need to be protected,” she said.
Her concerns came amid allegations circulating in some communities of traditional rituals being conducted in and around Lake Kariba, with claims involving rice, pieces of cloth and even cattle.
Some residents have also linked the allegations to manjuzu.
Chief Musambakaruma, speaking on behalf of traditional leaders, expressed gratitude to President Mnangagwa for standing with the affected community during the difficult period.
“We are mourning because we have been struck by a disaster. Kariba has lost many lives. At first, we thought this was our problem alone, but we have seen that we are all together in this,” he said.
The Chief also expressed gratitude to the First Lady for personally visiting the affected families and sharing in their grief.
“You sent people to us, but you also came personally to see us. We want to thank you, our Mother,” he said.
For a community carrying an almost unbearable burden, the visit offered reassurance that their suffering had been seen, their stories heard and their grief shared.
For Kariba, the mourning is far from over.
The search for those still unaccounted for continues, while families face the painful task of rebuilding their lives without loved ones taken from them so suddenly.
But amid the tears and uncertainty, Dr Mnangagwa’s presence in Kariba sent a powerful message of solidarity to a community in mourning.
For the people of Kariba, they are not alone.
