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George Maponga in GUTU
National heroine Mbuya Maud Muzenda, who died in Harare on Tuesday, was yesterday given a befitting send-off by hundreds of people from all walks of life who thronged the Muzenda family-owned Paradise Motel at Mpandawana Growth Point to bid farewell to Vice President Dr Simon Muzenda’s widow.
Mbuya Muzenda was declared a national heroine and will today join her husband, the late Dr Muzenda, at the National Heroes Acre.
She was 88.
Mbuya Muzenda passed on after battling diabetes and hypertension. She will be buried at the national shrine today alongside national hero and veteran freedom fighter Cde George Rutanhire, who died on Saturday last week.
Mbuya Muzenda’s body lay in state at the family home at Mpandawana Growth Point, where a church service led by the Roman Catholic church was held on Thursday evening.
Initially, Mbuya Muzenda’s body was supposed to be taken to her rural home in Zvavahera, but those plans were cancelled.
The body was instead taken to Paradise Motel at the growth point at around 9am where the people of Gutu were given the final opportunity to bid her farewell.
Among those present at Paradise Motel were Chief Whip and Zanu-PF Gutu Central legislator Cde Lovemore Matuke, Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial chairman Cde Ezra Chadzamira, Senator Tsitsi Muzenda, Gutu South Member of Parliament Dr Paul Chimedza and his Chiredzi West counterpart Cde Darlington Chiwa and service chiefs.
Addressing mourners at the motel, Mbuya Muzenda’s son Cde Tongai Muzenda, who is the Member of Parliament for Gutu West described her as a caring, humble and loving woman.
Cde Muzenda said his mother would be dearly missed by the Muzenda family.
“She was the pillar of the family, especially after the passing on of our father,” he said.
“Her death is a big loss to the family and I want to say that Mbuya Muzenda was an unparalleled advocate of peace, unity and above all development, especially here in Gutu district.’’
Cde Matuke said Mbuya Muzenda was an embodiment of humility and love, describing her as a rare breed who stood up and promoted unity and harmony among families.
“I would not be where I am today if it were not for the late VP Dr Muzenda and Mbuya Muzenda who has left us to join her husband,” he said.
“Mbuya Muzenda was a caring mother, a selfless woman who worked hard throughout to make sure others lived happily.
“She was a rare woman who was always willing and readily available to help and proffer advice.’’
Cde Matuke said Mbuya Muzenda was also a humble philanthropist who changed the lives of many people through her helping hand.
“Besides playing a key role in assisting children under the Children Survival and Development Foundation, Mbuya Muzenda assisted many disadvantaged people, particularly children in Zvavahera and surrounding areas,” he said.
“She was one person who never blew her own trumpet despite the tremendous work she was doing to change people’s lives.”
Chief Gutu, Amon Edmund Masanganise, paid homage to Mbuya Muzenda, saying Gutu district and the nation at large had been robbed of an exemplary woman who lived a life of love, humility and peace.
He said Gutu would never be the same again with the passing on of Mbuya Muzenda, hailing her philanthropic work that changed the lives of many people, especially those from poor backgrounds.
Chief Gutu lamented the death of Mbuya Muzenda which he said was more painful considering that tears over the death of Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister Senator Shuvai Mahofa — who also hailed from Gutu — had barely dried.
Director in the Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister’s office Mr Kudakwashe Machako said Mbuya Muzenda lived an exemplary life that was a lesson to civil servants, saying the national heroine loathed corruption and was hardworking.
As the hearse carrying Mbuya Muzenda’s body left for Hwiru School grounds where two Air Force of Zimbabwe helicopters were waiting to ferry it to Harare ahead of burial today, scores of youths toyi-toyed and sang revolutionary songs, bidding her farewell.
Online Reporter
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