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Nduduzo Tshuma Senior Reporter
Widow of the late first Vice President of Zapu, Dr Samuel Tichafa Parirenyatwa, Emily Maliwana Mkhwananzi who died on Wednesday, was yesterday given a huge send off by thousands of people from all walks of life who thronged Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo for her burial. Mkhwananzi, mother of Health and Child Care Minister, Dr David Parirenyatwa, died at Harare’s Parirenyatwa Hospital named after her late husband after a long battle with diabetes.
Speaking at the funeral service at St Margaret’s Anglican Church in North End, Zanu PF national chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo said “We are here to bid farewell to one of the most respected mothers, umama umaMkhwananzi. It’s very difficult to speak about the Parirenyatwa family and indeed the Mkhwananzi family without making specific reference to the late Dr Tichafa Parirenyatwa who was a nationalist and a pan Africanist of remarkable fortitude.”
Cde Khaya Moyo said the late Dr Parirenyatwa, who was murdered by the special branch of the Rhodesian government, was a source of inspiration and a man of character, charisma and charm.
He said the national hero led from the front as the first Zapu vice-president and that his murder by Rhodesian agents gave impetus to the struggle against settlerism leading to the armed liberation struggle.
“MaMkhwananzi, still in her casket was of royal status, we are therefore here to bid farewell to royalty. She played in her way, a role in the liberation struggle,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.
He said the late granny was a God-fearing mother who served her country by saving people’s lives.
The Minister of State in the President’s Officer, Cde Khaya Moyo, said Dr Parirenyatwa remained a beacon in the family saying they had the sympathy of the whole country.
Dr Parirenyatwa paid tribute to government and political colleagues as well as members of the community and Anglican Church for giving his mother a huge send off.
“When you have parents and they grow, you notice that you get closer as they grow old. On and off they give you flashes of wisdom that you will treasure. Our culture is good in a way that most of us do not send our parents to homes when they get older,” he said.
Dr Parirenyatwa said just like any child, he would confide in his mother whenever he had problems knowing that she would not go around telling people about his private issues.
He warned diabetes patients to take care of their health as the condition was a silent killer.
Dr Parirenyatwa’s sister, Mavis Gazi described her mother as a peace-loving person who imparted the same to her family.
“She was a loving person and her room had pictures of her grandchildren that she could identify by name, which was so amazing. I am so touched by the number of people who have come to pay their last respects to my mother,” she said.
Mkhwananzi’s cousin, Themba Dabengwa paid tribute to Dr Parirenyatwa for taking care of his mother as she struggled against diabetes.
A friend and former workmate of Mkhwananzi from the 1950s, Edna Hlalo described her as a loving person.
“We started working together in 1955, we used to call her Maliwane back then. She was my friend and sister and her passing pains me because I am now alone. I hope I will see her again when the Lord takes me,” she said.
Senior government officials who attended the burial include Defence Minister Dr Sydney Sekeramayi who was accompanied by his wife, Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Dr Olivia Muchena and Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Cde Nicholas Goche.
Also in attendance was Bulawayo Provincial Minister Cde Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo, deputy chief secretary to the President and Cabinet Cde Christian Katsande, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services Commissioner-General, Retired Major General Paradzai Zimondi, Zanu-PF Politburo members Cde Joshua Malinga, Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube and Cde Angeline Masuku.
Online Reporter