Nkomo aide laid to rest

Conrad Mupesa–Mashonaland West Bureau

LIBERATION hero and aide to the late Vice President Dr Joshua Nkomo, Cde Lavi Love Milk Gwati, who died on Monday after a long illness was buried at his rural home in Makonde district yesterday.

He was 91. 

Cde Gwati provided assistance and care to the late Vice President Nkomo when he was not well. 

The two close comrades shared a life that spanned from the days of the liberation struggle until the death of Cde Nkomo in 1999. 

When Cde Gwati ventured into a retail business in the Kenzamba area after independence, the late VP Nkomo officiated at the commissioning ceremony. 

Speaking at the burial, Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Marian Chombo said the late gallant fighter sacrificed his life towards the liberation of Zimbabwe. 

“It’s not easy for one to sacrifice his or her life like what Cde Gwati did. He left this country to attain military skills in foreign countries including Russia. After his secondary education, he mobilised youths to join the National Democratic Party and crossed into Zambia where the seed of patriotism was planted. 

“He worked with the late comrades including George Nyandoro, Cephas Msipa, Joseph Msika, Enos Nkala, Lookout Masuku and Dumiso Dabengwa among others,” she said. 

The province had been robbed of a nationalist who possessed vast knowledge of the Second Chimurenga. 

Together with Cde Dabengwa, Cde Gwati also acquired military training in Lebanon and Syria. 

He was among the group that was arrested at Hwahwa and were incarcerated at Gonakudzingwa. 

War veterans representative Cde Constance Mukandiwa-Chawafambira said the late hero had played his part in liberating the country from the settler regime with the baton now being handed to the young generation to maintain the legacy. 

Makonde legislator Cde Simbarashe Ziyambi and his predecessor, who is also former Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Cde Kindness Paradza, described the late hero as a true patriot who strengthened the party, Zanu PF.

Family representative, Mr Rossy Gwati thanked the President for declaring Cde Gwati a provincial hero. 

He was born on 15 February 1932 in Gokwe and did his education at Chinyenyetu. He is survived by two wives, several children and grandchildren.