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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
FORMER Hillside Teachers’ College principal and businessman Mr Wilson Garikai Bako has died.
He was 67.
Mr Bako collapsed and died at his home in Bulawayo’s Fortunes Gate suburb on Monday.
He was buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery on Thursday.
His nephew and family spokesperson Mr Zvavamwe Shambare said Mr Bako was a renowned educationist who contributed immensely to the development of education in the country.
“He was diabetic and collapsed on 15 August (Monday) and will be buried today (Thursday) at Lady Stanley Cemetery. He was a very intelligent pro-development man who valued education and business. He uplifted everyone in the family,” said Mr Shambare.
He said Mr Bako served as the principal at Hillside Teachers’ College between 1987 and 1995.
Mr Shambare said his uncle worked with other educationists like Professor Phineas Makhurane and the late industrialist Mr Eric Bloch to help set up the National University of Science and Technology.
“Mr Bako also championed the teaching of French at Hillside and several secondary schools around Bulawayo such as Montrose Girls High among other secondary schools,” said Mr Shambare.
He said Mr Bako was a lecturer at Mkoba Teachers’ College in Gweru before joining Hillside Teachers College.
He started his career as a teacher at several schools in Mashonaland provinces.
Mr Bako was active in the logistical support of freedom fighters during the liberation war.
“He was the founder of ‘R & K’ indigenous bakery. Mr Bako was a businessman running one of the biggest business complexes in Bulawayo. He was pro-devolution saying he would only invest his money in Bulawayo which became his home,” Mr Shambare said.
He said Mr Bako was part of Zimbabwe Saints Football Club executive as well as Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce.
He is survived by his wife Catherine, four children and three grand children.
@nqotshili
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