Chronicle Editor
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
THE late Retired Justice Selo Masole Nare who died last week was buried yesterday at Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo with mourners describing him as a champion of peace and reconciliation in Zimbabwe.
President Mnangagwa accorded the late former chairperson of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) a state-assisted burial.
He was 81 at the time of his death.
Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube who spoke during a funeral service for the late Judge, held at the Brethren-in-Christ Church yesterday, said the late Justice Nare was committed to Zimbabwe in various capacities.
“His commitment to Zimbabwe in the fields of law and education will forever be remembered. In 2018, President Mnangagwa appointed him the chairperson of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission where he gave him the delicate task of promoting peace and reconciliation in the country,” said Minister Ncube.
She said his core business was to foster peace and unity in the country adding that the late former Judge did this duties diligently.
Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Omphile Marupi said in Justice Nare, he had lost a special person in his life.
“We are grateful to all who worked with him, who have come to mourn with us. It’s a great loss for all of us. He was a special person in my life because of our many interactions,” he said.
Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Reverend Paul Damasane also gave an account of his fond memories of the late Rtd Justice Nare.
“I first met Justice Nare in 1978 when I was introduced to him by the late Jacob Nare who was my sons’ teacher by then. As I grew to know him, his humility taught me many things. I did not love too many languages but one thing that Nare taught me at that time when it was difficult to learn other languages other than your own.
“He would then say to me, ‘sengifikile koMapanzure’, I did not even know that place and he would say ‘ngafika khona ngasifunda isi Shangani, lawe sifunde’ (I went to Mapanzure and learnt how to speak Shangani, learn it too),” said Rev Damasane.
The Deputy Chief Secretary said he then went to university to study languages, as inspired by Justice Nare.
“I respect the inspiration that he gave me to learn languages well, just like he would say I was a Nguni and he was a Sotho man. Above all, we respect and honour the family that raised Justice Nare and the family that he also raised.
We say Zimbabwe has lost an icon, an icon that brought peace to the people and made them understand that we are one, despite our differences.
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I will like to say ubaba uNare is sleeping today but he will rise, he is lying here today but the great things he has done will continue to live and testify his goodness to all of us,” said Rev Damasane.
In his condolence message, President Mnangagwa mourned the death of Rtd Justice Nare saying he was a diligent servant whose contribution to promote peace and reconciliation will always be remembered. He said Justice Nare stood as a figure whose commitment to the nation in the field of law and education will forever be remembered.
The late Rtd Justice Nare joined the Judicial Services Commission as a court interpreter, steadily rising to become a magistrate and eventually a Labour Court Judge.
In 2018, President Mnangagwa appointed him to the NPRC to become the chairperson and also co-convening the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad).
He served as a Labour Court Judge before his retirement in 2013.
Rtd Justice Nare died on Saturday last week in South Africa where he was receiving treatment.
He is survived by his wife Leticia Gladys, three children and 11 grandchildren. — @NyembeziMu
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter