Justice Nare laid to rest

Bulawayo Bureau

FORMER Chairperson of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) Retired Justice Selo Masole Nare, who died last week, was buried yesterday, with mourners describing him as a champion of peace and reconciliation in Zimbabwe.

President Mnangagwa accorded Justice Nare, who was 81, a State-assisted burial.

He was buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo.

Speaking during a funeral service for Justice Nare yesterday, Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube said: “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 NPRC, where he gave him the delicate task of promoting peace and reconciliation in the country.”

Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Omphile Marupi said in Justice Nare, he had lost a special person.

“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 said he went to university to study languages after he was inspired by the multilingual 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. We say Zimbabwe has lost an icon, who brought peace to the people and made them understand that we are one, despite our differences.

“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.

After initially working as a teacher, Justice Nare joined the legal field as a court interpreter, steadily rising to become a magistrate and eventually a Labour Court judge before his retirement in 2013.

In 2018, President Mnangagwa appointed him chairperson of NPRC. Justice Nare is survived by his wife Leticia Gladys, three children and 11 grandchildren.