Peter Nemapare buried

FORMER football administrator, clergy and magistrate Peter Nemapare was buried at his farm in the Jobolingo area in Shurugwi district yesterday afternoon.

He died on Sunday evening after having been ill for a while. He was 87.

Nemapare is survived by wife, Daisy nee Volo Sibanda, two daughters Vyelwa and Shungu as well as a son Gwese.

The funeral was attended by community leaders, villagers, Zimbabwe Saints officials and all speakers spoke glowingly about the man of many talents and energies.

The Catholic Church’s respected Father Fidelis Mukonori was in attendance too and spoke highly of Nemapare’s contribution to the development of the country and the judiciary.

He said Nemapare saved former liberation struggle stalwart Edgar Tekere from going to jail after he allegedly killed a White farmer in 1980 by using the same laws that the previous Ian Smith regime had used before Independence.

Nemapare is said to have been among the first two Black magistrates to be appointed before Independence.

“Tekere was saved when Nemapare applied the same laws that had been used before,” said Fr Mukonori in an interview on the sidelines of the burial.

Ebson “Sugar” Muguyo a Zimbabwe and South African football legend said when he moved to join Kaizer Chiefs, Nemapare who was Zimbabwe Saints secretary facilitated the move.

“When I joined Kaizer Chiefs he was secretary and facilitated my move to SA. When Zimbabwe gained Independence in 1980 it was him who advised me to return and play in our free country,” said Muguyo.

Lloyd Munhanga the Zimbabwe Saints chairman praised Nemapare for his role at the club.

He said Nemapare in 1965 during the Saints split from Mashonaland FC to form Mashonaland United which would change to Zimbabwe Saints in 1975, laid the foundation for the club alongside the late Herbert Ushewokunze and Dr Oliver Munyaradzi.

“He alongside Herbert Ushewokunze and Dr Oliver Munyaradzi formed Zimbabwe Saints when Mashonaland United split from Mashonaland FC to form the present club. They worked hard for the club,” said Munhanga.

Another football legend Gibson Homela said Nemapare was a pillar of Zimbabwe Saints club and at times used his own resources to fund the club.

Nemapare was among a delegation of Bulawayo politicians who were in Highfields when Zanu-PF was formed in 1963.

Many speakers praised him for his contribution to uplifting communities in Shurugwi.

He is said to have assisted many youths from Shurugwi district to enroll at the Bulawayo Polytechnic during the time he was a lecturer at the institution.