Online Reporter
Remember Deketeke
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has declared Zesa Holdings executive chairperson Dr Sydney Gata a national hero, with burial expected on Wednesday.
Dr Gata passed away on Thursday after a short illness.
He was 79.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Ambassador Raphael Faranisi told our sister paper The Sunday Mail that burial arrangements will be discussed between the Government and Dr Gata’s family.
“Yes, Dr Gata has been declared a national hero, with some arrangements to be discussed further.
“As is the norm, burial arrangements will now be discussed between the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage and the family of Dr Gata.”
Amb Faranasi, however, indicated that burial has been tentatively set for Wednesday.
“The President himself will lead the nation in paying tribute to a man who committed his life to powering Zimbabwe’s future. Dr Gata was not only a pioneer in energy development but also a patriotic servant of the country,” he said.
A seasoned engineer and administrator, the late Zesa Holdings executive chairperson played a pivotal role in steering the local power utility.
Mourners are gathered at 333 Fairway Road, Borrowdale Brooke, Harare.
Dr Gata made history in 1981 as the first black head of the then Electricity Supply Commission (ESC).
Under his stewardship, Zesa expanded its reach across both urban and rural communities, with notable strides in power generation, distribution and institutional reform.
He joins a select group of non-ex-combatants honoured as national heroes, including music icon Dr Oliver Mtukudzi, Roman Catholic cleric Father Emmanuel Ribeiro and former Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet Dr Charles Utete.
Dr Gata is survived by his wife Angeline Gata, who is the Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister, children and grandchildren.
