daniel chigunwe
Good afternoon, everyone.
We are coming to you live from Lot 72, Rupise Hot Springs Farm in Chipangayi, Chipinge, where family members, neighbours, and friends have gathered to pay their last respects to the late national hero, Dr Sydney Zikuzo Gata.
The send-off service has commenced with the body viewing, and we are joined by several senior Government officials, as well as Dr Gata’s widow, Honourable Angeline Gata.
Dr Gata’s body was airlifted from Manyame Airbase in Harare yesterday and has been lying in state at his homestead here in Chipangayi.
Later this afternoon, his body will be flown back to Harare in preparation for burial at the National Heroes’ Acre tomorrow, Wednesday.
Dr Gata passed away last Thursday at a private hospital in Harare after a short illness.
Our Reporters, Ray Bande, Harmony Agere, Moffat Mungazi and Photographer Tinai Nyadzayo will be providing us with live updates from the event.
Stay tuned as we bring you updates from this solemn occasion.
‘Dr Gata was a development champion’
The late national hero, Dr Sydney Gata, has been described as a hands-on individual who initiated numerous pro-development projects that benefited local communities.
During a ceremony for Manicaland to bid farewell to him, speakers praised his efforts in promoting the harnessing of natural resources for clean energy.
Dr Gata also played a crucial role in infrastructure development, demonstrating the same exceptional dedication he showed in the energy sector.
“Dr Gata’s passing is a devastating blow to the Chipangayi community. His loss is irreplaceable, as he was our pillar of strength in driving rural electrification and infrastructure development, particularly in rural areas,” said a villager, Mrs Sibongile Sibiya.
Mr Phillip Mapembe echoed similar sentiments, saying Dr Gata rightfully deserved the national hero status conferred upon him by President Mnangagwa, given his impressive record of developmental achievements.
Manicaland bids farewell to national hero Dr Sydney Gata
📹: Tinai Nyadzayo
Dr Gata’s widow pays her last respects
Honourable Angeline Gata, the widow of the late national hero Dr Sydney Gata, is consoled as she pays her last respects to her husband.
Resounding send-off for national hero Dr Gata
Scores of people from all walks of life lined up the driveway to Dr Gata’s homestead’s in Chipangayi, Chipinge, as his body is ferried to Buffalo Range Airstrip.
Dr Gata’s body will be flown to Manyame Air Base in Harare as preparations for tomorrow’s burial at the National Heroes Acre continue.
The late national hero Dr Gata’s brother, Henry, speaks
📹 Moffat Mungazi
ZESA employees bid farewell to Dr Gata
ZESA Holdings employees are set to gather at the ZESA Training Centre in Harare this afternoon to bid farewell to their Executive Chairman, Dr Sydney Zikuzo Gata, ahead of his burial tomorrow at the National Heroes Acre.
Dr Gata, who passed away last week, was conferred national hero status by President Mnangagwa in recognition of his decades of service to Zimbabwe’s energy sector.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Dr Gata’s body was airlifted earlier today from his rural home at Chipangayi, Rupise, where it had lay in state overnight, to Manyame Airbase in Harare.
From there, the body is scheduled to be escorted to the ZESA Training Centre at 2 pm, where colleagues will have the opportunity to pay their last respects.
After the farewell programme, the body will be taken to Charles Gumbo Barracks, where it will lie in state overnight ahead of tomorrow’s burial at the National Heroes Acre.
Dr Gata, a seasoned electrical engineer and prominent figure in Zimbabwe’s power utility, is remembered by colleagues as a committed visionary who worked tirelessly to improve the country’s energy infrastructure.
‘Dr Gata valued us all’
Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo has arrived at the venue.
Several senior Government officials have also arrived, including Dr John Mangudya.
Scores of Zesa employees have lined up the streets leading to Zesa Training Centre to receive the national hero’s, which left Chipangai this afternoon.
It is a sombre atmosphere, with many Zesa employees expressing their loss.
“He was loved by everyone regardless of which capacity you served in,” said one employee.
“From cleaners, security guards to senior executives, Dr Gata valued us all.”
National hero Dr Gata’s body arrives at ZESA Training Centre
Zesa employees have gathered at the ZESA Training Centre to bid farewell to their former ZESA Holdings Executive Chairman and national hero, Dr Sydney Zikuzo Gata.
Dr Gata’s body has arrived at the venue where his former workmates will bid farewell to him.
The Minister of Energy and Power Development July Moyo, Deputy Minister of Sports, Arts, Recreation and Culture Emily Jesaya, are part of the mourners gathered at the power utility’s training facility to bid farewell to the national hero.
Also present are senior Government officials, family members, friends, and stakeholders in the energy sector.
The late national hero, a seasoned electrical engineer and prominent figure in Zimbabwe’s power utility, has been described by colleagues as a committed visionary who worked tirelessly to improve the country’s energy infrastructure.
ZESA remembers Dr Gata
ZESA Holdings General Manager for Stakeholder Relations, Dr George Manyaya said Dr Gata made an impact on the power utility’s workers.
Dr Manyaya said the late national hero was a man of courage, determination and resilience who spearheaded the transformation of the country’s energy sector.
“Today we are here to remember a life that touched each of us. A life full of meaning, courage, determination, empathy and resilience.
“He had unwavering dedication to this nation. This not only changed ZESA organisation, but the lives of all those who interacted with him,” said Dr Manyaya.
“In 2019 when Dr Gata was appointed the Executive Chairman, he came to this very stadium to meet ZESA employees before he went to the office.
“He came up with what he called the Encyclopaedia of Grievances. I am happy that of all those grievances, about 95 percent were resolved.
“Your presence here, ladies and gentlemen, is testament to the impact that Dr Gata had on the entire nation,” said Dr Manyaya.
Dr Gata remembered as an icon in the energy sector
National hero, Dr Sydney Gata has been described as an iconic leader in the energy sector.
Speaking at a funeral service held at the ZESA National Training Centre this afternoon, ZESA Vice Chairperson Albert Nduna described Dr Gata as an iconic figure in the energy sector, whose contribution spanned decades and left an indelible mark locally and regionally.
“Dr Gata’s untimely passing is a tremendous loss to his family, to the ZESA fraternity, and the entire energy community.”
The national hero’s commitment to skills development began in the 1980s when he responded to a post-independence exodus of skilled ZESA personnel by establishing the ZESA National Training Centre.
The centre, which hosted his funeral this afternoon, remains the cornerstone of human capital development in Zimbabwe’s power sector.
“He was always forward-looking and had the best interests of employees at heart,” Mr Nduna said, noting that Dr Gata recently directed the centre to begin plans for a modern sports pavilion.
Beyond Zimbabwe, Dr Gata played a critical role in the formation of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
He was present at the 1989 Council of Ministers meeting in Victoria Falls, which laid the groundwork for the initiative.
On July 2nd, just a day before his passing, Dr Gata was recognised by SAPP for his pivotal contributions to regional energy solutions and infrastructure development.
Dr Gata’s leadership transformed ZESA during its most challenging periods.
He was the first black general manager of the Electricity Supply Commission (1981–1985), later serving as CEO and board member in the 1980s and 1990s.
The national hero was appointed Executive Chairman of ZESA in 2001 to 2006, and again in November 2019 until his death.
Throughout his illustrious career, he held influential roles within the World Energy Council, the African Development Bank, and Integrated Energy Systems Limited UK.
Mr Nduna said Dr Gata’s vision aligned with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, which seeks to elevate Zimbabwe to an upper-middle-income economy through robust electricity infrastructure and skills development.
“Dr Sydney Gata was an inspiration to many, a beacon of hope, and a true legend of the energy sector,” Mr Nduna said.
Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Jenfan Muswere arrives, Deputy Minister Dr Ompile Marupi and Director of Media Services Mr George Chisoko are also attending the funeral service.
Let’s carry on Dr Gata’s vision of total electrification
Mutapa Investment Fund chief executive, Dr John Mangudya has described the late Executive Chairman of ZESA Holdings, Dr Sydney Gata, as an iconic and visionary leader.
Speaking at the send-off ceremony, Dr Mangudya said:
“We gather here today with heavy hearts and grateful spirits to honour and remember a truly remarkable man, Dr Sydney Gata, a man that we respected.
“He was a visionary leader in the energy sector. His vision was to have total electrification in Zimbabwe by 2030, which means having all households, clinics, schools, and farms connected to the grid.
“So I used to ask him, now and then, whether this vision was achievable.
“He would always assure me that it is achievable,” said Dr Mangudya.
He said Dr Gata’s vision will be carried on.
“We need to fulfil Dr Gata’s vision in achieving total electrification for Zimbabwe. We need to move on with that legacy,” said Dr Mangudya.
Dr Gata helped avert a skills crisis in the energy sector: Minister Moyo
Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo said Dr Gata played a pivotal role in averting a serious skills shortage in the sector when the country gained independence in 1980.
Speaking during Dr Gata’s funeral at Zesa Training Centre in Harare today, Minister Moyo said white engineers left in troves after independence, leaving the sector short staffed.
Dr Gata, who was leading the Electricity Supply Commission, then went to Iran and Pakistan where he sourced experienced engineers to work for the country.
“He was the kind of man who would go after his goals nomatter what others said,” said Minister July Moyo.
“We first went to Europe but they were expensive.
“We then headed to Pakistan and Iran where we finally got the manpower that we wanted.
“Had we not done this, the Commission would have probably collapsed.”
Minister Moyo said Dr Gata not only imparted knowledge to Zimbabwe but to the whole SADC region.
Online Reporter