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Walter Nyamukondiwa-Mashonaland West Bureau Chief
Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo yesterday visited the Swanepoel family at their farm on the outskirts of Chinhoyi town to pass her condolences following the death of former Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) leader Mr Nick Swanepoel last week.
President Mnangagwa and his deputy Dr Constantino Chiwenga have since passed their condolences following Mr Swanepoel’s death in South Africa on May 8.
Extolled by Government and family members as a level-headed man, Mr Swanepoel chose cooperation over confrontation when Government sought to correct land ownership imbalances.
His son Steve said his father stood for the common good than narrow political and individual agendas.
“My father was for the well-being of everyone, and not an individual’s political ambition,” said Steve.
“He resisted pressure from others (commercial farmers) who wanted confrontation with Government.”
He said his father was level-headed, always pushing for amicable resolution of the land reform exercise.
Mr Swanepoel had been at Avalone Farm for the past 30 years and invested heavily to make it a fully functional farm.
At the time of his death, Mr Swanepoel was in the process of installing an 850kw solar system to power the farm.
The second phase would see the farm producing 1,2MW of power.
Minister Chombo said those who cooperated with Government were still farming in the country.
“Unlike Mr Swanepoel who cooperated with the Government and rode the wave of land reform, most of those who resisted fell by the wayside,” said Minister Chombo.
“We want to reiterate Government’s readiness to support the continuation of unhindered operations here (Avalone Farm).”
His grandson, Nick Jr, described his grandfather as a tough, but loving man.
Online Reporter