Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
MUGOVE MUHAMBI was a giant in life and in death.
He deserved a full military parade and in a way, he got just that.
The iconic martial artist’s funeral procession brought Harare to a standstill as he embarked on his final journey to Zinyengere Cemetery in Domboramwari, Epworth, yesterday.
More than 3 000 people gathered at his house in St Martins along Seke Road and over 1 000 more joined at the burial site. The hearse bearing his remains took approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to navigate its way, first along Seke Road, then Airport Road and finally Chiremba Road en route to Epworth, where Government officials led by Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Anselem Sanyatwe had been waiting.
Before proceeding to Muhambi’s burial place, Sanyatwe and his entourage passed through his home and gave a moving speech.
Muhambi died in a road accident along Borrowdale Road on Saturday morning. He was 48.
While he was a well-known sports-person, first as a boxer, then a karateka and eventually a fitness trainer, he couldn’t have imagined that scores of people from all walks of life would huddle at his funeral.
Traffic hurdled as it stretched for more than 4km as hordes drove to bid their farewell to a man who didn’t only win global medals for the country but helped train those who have also contributed immensely to putting this country on the global map, both in boxing and karate.
“Mugove (Muhambi), the man who we are laying to rest this afternoon, was a gentle giant. He was a disciplined sports-person who distinguished himself as he won medals of different colours in national, regional and international tournaments both as a boxer and a karateka,” said Sanyatwe. “It is sad that we say goodbye to him when he was at the heart of contributing positively to the growth of sport in this country. He was a fitness guru and his efforts were very helpful in terms of helping the youth from shunning drugs. “
His legacy will live forever. As we bid him farewell, I urge all of you to take a leaf from what he did when he was still alive. He was a sports hero and all this honour cannot go to someone who let their bodies be damaged by drugs.”
The hands-on minister was accompanied by his deputy, Emily Jesaya, Sports and Recreation Director in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Eugenia Chidhakwa, Director General Sports and Recreation Commission Elta Nengomasha, Zimbabwe Wrestling and Boxing Control Board chief executive officer Priscilla Kadungure as well as Permanent Secretary in the Finance Ministry George Guvamatanga.
Footballers Union of Zimbabwe president Desmond Maringwa, former Kyukushin world champion Samson Muripo, Kobudo star Wilfred Mashaya and Global Taekwondo Federation Zimbabwe president Nevermind Shereni were some of the notable figures present. Shereni, who was close friends with Muhambi described him as an example of what doing sports well can bring to the table.
“I last met him four days before his demise when he called me to accompany him to Marondera where we trained people there in both karate and boxing,” said Shereni.
“He said we should leave my car and we actually used his car where he met his fate driving. The void which he has left will be very difficult to fill.
“Sensei Muhambi was a gentleman. He was very humble and down-to-earth. “He trained me before I became a trainer myself and his methods are being used across dojos in the country. The martial arts industry has suffered a huge blow.”
Muhambi is survived by wife Vimbai and four children.
