Hundreds mourn Mambo

Pamela Shumba Chronicle Reporter
Hundreds of relatives, friends and colleagues from the journalism fraternity yesterday attended a funeral service for the Sunday News Editor Paul Mambo who died in Bulawayo on Saturday. Mambo (46), who succumbed to meningitis at Mater-Dei Hospital, will be buried today at his rural home in Beitbridge District.
There was a short service at Nyaradzo Funeral Parlour followed by another one at his Mahatshula home yesterday before mourners proceeded with the body to Mpande area in Beitbridge.

In attendance were Mambo’s colleagues from Zimpapers Bulawayo branch and other media organisations as well as High Court judge Justice Maphios Cheda, director of information and public relations at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) Mr Felix Moyo, the National Railways of Zimbabwe public relations manager, Mr Fanuel Masikati and Colonel Canisius Moyo from the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

Chronicle Editor Itayi Musengeyi described Mambo as a principled and dedicated leader, who was respected by many.
“I started working with Mambo last year when I was moved from Harare to Bulawayo. I learnt a lot from him because he was always willing to give guidance to his subordinates and fellow editors.  I would like to express my condolences to his family for the loss. He will be sadly missed by all at Zimpapers. May his soul rest in peace,” said Musengeyi.

In his condolence message the dean of the Faculty of Communication and Information Science at Nust, Dr Lawton Hikwa, said he learnt of Mambo’s death with sadness and regret.

“I learnt about the passing away of Mambo, the Editor of Sunday News, with so much sadness and regret. He was such a fine man and professional whose memory will reside in a lot of minds for a very long time.

“I interacted with Mambo during my long time as a non-executive director at Zimpapers and subsequently in many fora during the course of our varied professional chores within and outside the media fraternities. My family and I wish to express our sincerest condolences to the Mambo family, relatives, colleagues and friends. May his dear departed soul rest in eternal peace,” said Dr Hikwa.

Mambo’s nephew Mr Richard Manabela Ndou, said Mambo’s rural home is about 274 kilometres from Bulawayo.
“People travelling from Bulawayo should turn to the right off the main road into Siyoka Road at the 228 km peg near Makado. They will travel about 18 km and turn to the right again towards Zezane before travelling about 5km and turning right once more, towards Chief Sitaudze’s homestead,” said Mr Ndou.

He said the Mambo homestead was less than a kilometre away from the chief’s home, adding that the family would put posters on trees to direct people from the main road.