Hundreds pay last respects to Sen Gombami

Copac members, chiefs and mayors yesterday thronged the Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo to bid farewell to the Senator for Mabutweni, Gladys Gombami.
Sen Gombami (48) died in Gokwe on Monday after a short illness.
A total of 80 members of the Senate and Parliament, 10 cabinet ministers and six chiefs from various provinces in the country, attended the funeral.
The President of the chief’s council, Fortune Charumbira, Copac members, Mr Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana and Mrs Monica Mutsvangwa were part of the mourners.
Addressing mourners at the Methodist Church in Mpopoma, where a church service was held for the late Senator, Prime Minister Tsvangirai said Sen Gombami’s sudden death was a loss to the MDC-T party.
“We are in deep thought and all of us are shocked as Sen Gombami’s death was sudden. She was a unifier, an assertive and courageous woman with a unique character. She was one of the pillars of the MDC-T party,” said PM Tsvangirai.
He said Sen Gombami had qualities that leaders at various levels of the party should emulate.
“Leaders must be patient, have a sense of forgiveness, pursue unity of purpose and offer solidarity despite the temptations, trials and tribulations they face.
“Sen Gombami epitomised all these values and we must be committed to pursue her dreams. She was one of the top women activists who promoted women’s rights and emphasised on assertiveness and not equality of numbers,” said PM Tsvangirai.
He urged party members to emulate the life of Sen Gombami.
Copac vice chairperson, Mrs Mutsvangwa said Sen Gombami was a great, energetic woman who symbolised a true Zimbabwean. The death of Sen Gombami is a big loss to the country. In our differences, we could talk and find the best way forward for the betterment of the people of Zimbabwe.
“Upon realising that the job we had at Copac was a huge one, she said there was no need to break for Christmas for a long time,” said Mrs Mutsvangwa.
She said Sen Gombami was a hard worker who played a big role in the constitution making process.
“Sen Gombami could tell when one was derailing progress and would bring them back on line. She spent a lot of time reading other constitutions and would argue with facts and research.
“It is going to be difficult at Copac without her,” said Mrs Mutsvangwa.
Speaker of Parliament Lovemore Moyo echoed the same sentiments saying Sen Gombami’s death was a huge blow to the party.
“On Friday last week, the MDC-T political leadership in Matabeleland region held a meeting at Redwood and we were looking at important issues including the constitution making process, which Sen Gombami was part of.
“We had planned to have a strategic workshop next month and it is sad that we have lost her at such a time. However, the honour is upon us, as to what we should do so that her dreams and aspirations are fulfilled,” he said.
Members of the MDC-T were singing and chanting songs in honour of the late Senator, as they paid their last respects.
Sen Gombami did her primary education at Lukhanyiso Primary School in Mpopoma before going to Mzilikazi High School for her secondary education.
In 1983, she got married to Mr Fanuel Gombami.
She was one of the founder members of the MDC in 1999 and held several positions in Bulawayo Province.
In 2008, she was elected Senator for Mabutweni and worked tirelessly in the constituency to uplift the lives of the ordinary people.
The senatorial constituency covers Mpopoma, Njube, Lobengula and Pelandaba.
Sen Gombami was elected Bulawayo Women’s Assembly provincial chairperson in April this year.
Since 2009, Sen Gombami has been active in the drafting of the new people-driven constitution.
Her husband and four children, two girls and two boys, survive her.