adminto pay their last respects to Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings Voice of Zimbabwe assignments executive, Joseph Mandizvidza.
Mandizvidza (31) died on the spot in a car accident last Saturday near Norton when the vehicle he was travelling in burst one of its tyres before overturning. He was on his way to Harare for a media workshop.
ZBC chief executive officer, Mr Happison Muchechetere, described him as a hardworking and dedicated man.
“We had a very serious and hardworking young man whose career has, however, been cut short. We will miss him greatly and always remember the good work he has done for the organisation,” said Mr
Muchechetere addressing mourners at Mandizvidza’s home in Southview suburb before burial.
In his eulogy, the Member of Parliament for Mhondoro-Ngezi, Cde Bright Matonga described the death of Mandizvidza as a tragic loss to the media fraternity.
“We have been working very well with this young man together with his brother Tarzen (Mandizvidza). His death has come as a great shock not only to the Mandizvidza family but to the country’s media fraternity,” he said.
Cde Matonga urged Mandizvidza’s relatives and friends to celebrate their departed member’s life while finding solace in the Holy Scriptures.
“Some of us are now born again and the word I want to leave to the Mandizvidza family as well as to his friends is that we should not continue to mourn but celebrate Joseph’s life. We should find solace in reading the scriptures,” he said.
Former Deputy Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Mr Edwin Muguti also paid tribute to Mandizvidza. He said deaths on the country’s roads could be reduced if the country improved emergency services. He said there was need for Government to move forward and make sure that the country’s roads are improved so as to reduce carnage.
“I think as a country, we need to improve on our emergency services. There is no rapid response system to emergencies and as a country we need to move forward and improve on that.
“Government also has to move fast and work on improving the state of our roads if we are to reduce this carnage,” he said.
Mr Collins Mungate who was standing in for Media, Information and Publicity Minister, Webster Shamu said the death of Mandizvidza came as a shock to the media fraternity.
“I have been sent by the Minister (Webster Shamu) who was keen to attend the burial but could not make it due to other pressing Government duties.
“He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Mandizvidza family and said the death of Mandizvidza was a great loss to the media fraternity,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Association of Editors (ZAE) also sent a message of condolence to the Mandizvidza family following the death of Joseph. The association’s secretary-general, Willie Muponda, said the death of Mandizvidza has robbed the media fraternity of a dedicated cadre and its a heavy blow, especially to those who worked closely with him in Gweru.
“On behalf of editors, the association would like to express its heartfelt condolence to the Mandizvidza family, following the passing on of Mr Joseph Mandizvidza in a road accident along the Gweru-Harare highway on 2 July, 2011.
Mandizvidza, an executive with the ZBC Voice of Zimbabwe, was one of the association’s indispensable cadres, who will be missed by all.
He will be remembered as an honest, hard working cadre who was always willing to assist others,” he said. He is survived by wife Ratidzo and son, Tinotenda. Mandizvidza’s burial was also attended by Zanu-PF
Politburo member, Cde Tsitsi Muzenda, Midlands State University Registrar Mr Erasmus Mupfiga, Gweru Deputy Mayor Councillor Taurai Demo and several Government officials.
Online Reporter