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Thupeyo Muleya
FORMER editor of the defunct Border Post community newspaper and chairman of the Beitbridge Business Association, Salatiel Roy Muleya who died on Monday night, was buried at his rural home in Goda area 30 kilometres east of Beitbridge town yesterday.
Muleya (58) succumbed to umbilical hernia complications following an operation at the United Bulawayo Hospitals last Monday night.
Hundreds of mourners gathered at his home to bid farewell to the man who fought for the preservation of the Venda culture and the economic development of Beitbridge District.
Speaker after speaker spoke well about the illustrious life of Muleya who they described as a pillar of strength and unifier.
Senator for Beitbridge constituency Cde Tambudzani Mohadi described the late Muleya as one of the people who were committed to championing development projects around Beitbridge District.
“We have been robbed of a hardworking man who contributed immensely towards the development of both big and small businesses in Beitbridge. He was a man with vast knowledge on challenges people were facing and would come up with practical solutions to most of these issues.
“Actually he was a very clever man who would listen to anyone regardless of your social standing,” she said.
The senator added that Muleya was a dedicated Zanu-PF cadre since the beginning of the liberation struggle until his death.
Beitbridge Town council chairperson Cde Showa Moyo said Muleya was a very faithful leader in the community as he executed his duties diligently and expeditiously.
“We have lost a great man who has been working with the local authority in promoting investment opportunities in our town,” said Cde Moyo.
Beitbridge Business Association vice chairperson Nkululeko Milidi said the community had lost a man who had vast knowledge.
“We will forever miss his leadership style and commitment towards the establishment of small to medium enterprises. He is one of the leaders who initiated a lot of developmental projects around Beitbridge and was one of our consultants on business related matters.
“Salatiel had a strong vision for economic development and his shoes will be difficult to fill,” he said.
Beitbridge Residents’ Association chairman Lawrence Tshili said: “This has been a very bad year for the Beitbridge community. We continue to lose people with a passion for development. In January we lost the town secretary Dr Sipho Singo and now it’s Salatiel. Our hearts are heavy as we continue to lose team players,” he said.
Salatiel was born in Musina, South Africa and grew up in Nuli area, Beitbridge, where he did his primary education before going to Manama Mission in Gwanda and Bulawayo for secondary education. He left the country for Zambia during the liberation struggle.
After independence in 1980 he went to Germany, Poland and Bulgaria to pursue media studies and came back to the country at the turn of the millennium where he established the Beitbridge business association and was the founder member of the Border Post newspaper.
He is survived by wife Olitha and four children.
Online Reporter