Online Reporter
Africa Moyo
Deputy News Editor
Three lights were by the side of his coffin while about five flowers were on top at the family home in National, Mbare, in Harare on Saturday.
His widow sat in the corner of the room struggling to contain her emotions.
About six women, including his mother, were in the same room with mourners drawn from different religious denominations outside belting gospel songs and dancing.
Some of his friends sat by the gate and neighbours’ gates, reminiscing the good times they had with Gilbert Gwinyai Mafi.
Popularly known as “Magirazi” because her wore spectacles, Mafi died tragically at the age of 43 last Thursday near Beitbridge, together with 24 others, when an Urban Connect Bus driver allegedly mistimed his overtaking before colliding head-on with a haulage truck a few metres before the Lutumba Tollgate in Beitbridge.
He worked for a clearing company and was travelling to the country’s busiest port to clear some vehicles for clients.
Close friends who spoke with Mr Mafi’s wife before the crash said he had just sent a message, updating her that he was close to Beitbridge, and that he had a friend who wanted to clear any arrears the couple had, be it school fees for his two children, one who is in Grade 7.
The wife obliged and sent the list, and Mr Mafi requested any final financial obligation that needed redress. The wife responded, and she never heard from him thereafter.
Mr Mafi had perished, together with 24 others, leaving a community in shock and mourning.
The news that he was part of the dead spread like wildfire in Mbare where he was born and bred and Dzivaresekwa where he was now staying, shattering the peace of those who had gathered to celebrate his 43 birthday on February 8.
Close sources indicate that seven dealers involved in clearing vehicles across borders were also on the bus; five of them perished and two were injured.
One of the five who died had US$35 000 in a satchel to clear vehicles, but nothing, including his cell phone has been found so far.
President Mnangagwa declared the accident a national disaster and accorded State-assisted burials for all of them.
On Sunday, hundreds of people, from all spheres of life, descended on Zororo Memorial Park for Mafi’s burial.
Many of them said they were giving a deserved farewell to a man who spent the better part of his life doing good to those he came in contact with.
His life, though tragically cut short, was marked by a commitment to friendship, community, and love.
Mr Mafi was not just a friend; he was a confidante and a counsellor and many turned to him for advice during challenging times, especially concerning marriage and relationships.
Even as friends celebrated his birthday last Sunday in Dzivaresekwa, Harare, Mr Mafi told them that he was grateful God had kept him for that long, and challenged them to live upright lives.
“We must start behaving well guys because attaining 43 years is a milestone,” Mr Mafi is said to have remarked.
In interviews at his burial yesterday, some of his friends such as Mr Wellington Nota, Mr Chamunorwa Malinganiza, and Mr Tinotendaishe Tapfuma, were among the first to express their grief.
Mr Nota, who lives in Msasa Park, recalled how Mr Mafi had a unique ability to lift others’ spirits and at one point actually introduced him to his neighbours in Msasa Park, who he had never spoken with since moving to the area.
“He was the kind of friend who always had time to listen,” he said, his voice heavy with sorrow.
“He cared deeply about people and often went out of his way to help those in need.
“I recall one day when he came for my child’s birthday, he actually introduced me to my neighbours who I hadn’t spoken with, and he later gave them some of the meat we were braaing,” said Mr Nota.
Mr Malinganiza, who lives in Dzivaresekwa, said: “He helped me navigate some tough moments. “His wisdom and understanding helped shape my life. He was a true friend and I will miss him.”
Mr Tapfuma, also of Dzivaresekwa, remembered Mr Mafi’s infectious laugh, his ability to lighten any room and helping anyone in need.
“He had this way of bringing people together, no matter the circumstances,” he reminisced. It’s hard to believe he’s gone. He was loved by everyone, and his absence will be felt deeply.”
As the pastor concluded his graveside sermon in which he encouraged many people to give their lives to God so they are divinely protected, some friends, family, and acquaintances requested for some time to sing one last song and dance before the coffin was lowered.
Mr Mafi’s legacy extends beyond his friendships; it encompasses the values he instilled in others.
His commitment to strengthening marriages and fostering connections among friends is a testament to his character.
In a world often marked by division, Mr Mafi was a unifier, someone who understood the importance of community.
His funeral was not just a goodbye; it was a celebration of a life well-lived, a life that served as a reminder of the beauty of human connection.
In the wake of tragedy, Mr Mafi’s friends vowed to honour his memory by continuing the work he loved so much.
“We will make sure his spirit lives on,” said Mr Malinganiza.
“We’ll be the friends he would want us to be.”
As they grappled with their loss, the community recognised that Mr Mafi had left an indelible mark on their hearts.
His life, though brief, was a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have on many. While his physical presence may be gone, his spirit will live on in the stories shared, the friendships nurtured, and the lives he touched.
