Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa and Raymond Jaravaza
THE remains of the two pilots who were flying the helicopter carrying businessman Wicknell Chivayo, his wife Lucy Muteke and aide Sanelisiwe Magagula when it crashed in Marondera on Wednesday last week were buried yesterday in Marondera and Chiredzi, respectively.
Wing Commander (Retired) Calvin Tafirei Soda and co-pilot Courage Mutavirwa were laid to rest in separate ceremonies, while Ms Magagula’s remains were ferried to Bulawayo, where there was a brief stopover before proceeding to Lupane ahead of her burial today.
The remains of Mr Chivayo and his wife will be buried at Glen Forest Memorial Park on Thursday.
In Marondera, mourners converged at Kanjiva C Village 34 for the burial of Wing Commander (Retired) Captain Calvin Tafirei Soda.
He was 44.
Chief mourner Air Force of Zimbabwe Commander Air Marshal Jacob Nzvede, represented by Director General Training Air Commodore Kingsley Zimbudzana, said the late officer had served his country with dedication and professionalism.
“Today we gather to mourn his passing, but also to remember and honour a life marked by dedicated service, professionalism and commitment to the Air Force of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces,” he said.
“The late Wing Commander (Retired) Calvin Tafirei Soda was born on June 16, 1982. He undertook his primary education at Fairbridge and Barham Green primary schools before proceeding to Gifford High School for his secondary education.
“These formative years provided the foundation for a life guided by discipline, determination and a strong sense of duty. He was attested into the Air Force of Zimbabwe on October 13, 2003. His potential and professional commitment saw him commissioned to the rank of Air Lieutenant in November 2009, promoted to Squadron Leader in September 2014 and Wing Commander in October 2020. He served in that rank until his retirement on October 12, 2023.
“Throughout his career, he continued to develop his professional knowledge and leadership skills. He successfully completed a number of military courses, including the Regular Officers Cadet Course, Pilot Training Course, Helicopter Conversion Course, Computer Appreciation Course, Junior Staff Course, Inspectors’ Course, Flying Instructors Course and Joint Command and Staff Course.”
Air Commodore Zimbudzana said Captain Soda also pursued academic studies, obtaining a degree in Purchasing and Supply as well as certificates in Quality Assurance Parts I and II.
“These achievements reflected his appreciation of the value of continuous learning and professional growth,” he said.
He highlighted several appointments held by the late officer during his career.
“During his years of service, he held a number of appointments, including Squadron Pilot at No. 7 Squadron, Staff Officer Grade Two in the Inspectorate General Department, Duty Pilot, Acting Staff Officer Grade One Operations and Staff Officer Grade One Air Intelligence.
“In each of these appointments, he carried out his responsibilities with diligence, professionalism and a strong sense of duty. He was regarded as a disciplined and dedicated officer who valued integrity, sound administration and effective implementation of policy.
“For his service to the country, he was awarded the Independence Medal, 10 Years Service Medal, DRC Campaign Medal and the Long and Exemplary Service Medal. These decorations recognised his years of dedicated service and commitment to the nation.”
Marondera East legislator Cde Vimbayi Mutokonyi said the constituency had lost a valuable member of the community.
“We worked well with the late Captain Soda in this constituency and losing him in this manner is painful. Yes, God has done His will, but it is painful. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family,” he said.
“I want to salute the Government for the support it has given to the family of the late Captain. This shows that the Government has its people at heart.”
Mr Charles Soda, a brother to the late pilot, said the family had lost not only a pillar but also a unifier who valued honesty, hard work and unity.
“The void he has left is too great to fill. We learnt a lot from him. He was someone who valued peace and unity,” he said.
“He loved our culture and taught us to value our traditions. He loved people and never discriminated against anyone. We have lost a brother, a friend, a father figure and a hard worker.”
He thanked the Government and the community for supporting the family during their time of grief.
Reverend Paul Karanda of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe said Captain Soda was a committed church member who attended services whenever his work commitments allowed.
Wing Commander (Retired) Calvin Soda is survived by his wife, Shamiso Faith Soda, and four children.
In Bulawayo, scores of mourners, including family members, friends and church congregants, gathered in Entumbane to bid farewell to Ms Sanelisiwe Magagula at the family home before her body proceeded to Daluka Village in Lupane for burial today.
Her body arrived from Harare in the afternoon, accompanied by relatives and friends travelling in three buses and several vehicles.
Mourners spent about an hour at the family home, allowing neighbours and friends from Bulawayo to pay their last respects before the procession departed for Lupane.
Ms Magagula is survived by a 12-year-old daughter.
Speaker after speaker described her, a former Zimbabwe National Army member, as a jovial, generous and caring woman who supported her extended family.
Family spokesperson Mr Lamulani Ncube said the family was struggling to come to terms with her untimely death.
“We are at a loss for words. The whole family is devastated. Sanelisiwe was 32 years old and was born into a family of two sons and two daughters. She was the youngest child. She will be laid to rest tomorrow (today),” he said.
“It is difficult for us to accept that she is gone. For me, it is even harder because I was the first person to receive the news and had to inform the rest of the family.”
Her aunt, Mrs Ngenzeni Ncube Manyathela, said the loss remained difficult to comprehend.
“I still cannot believe she is gone. Her death has left us devastated as a family. It still feels unreal. What hurts me most is that she was recently in South Africa, where I stay, but because of work commitments she could not visit me,” she said.
Another aunt, Mrs Vinnie Khumalo, described Ms Magagula as a loving and responsible woman who had become a breadwinner for her family.
“Sanelisiwe worked as a bursar before joining the army. While serving in the Zimbabwe National Army, she upgraded her studies. She was patient, responsible and always willing to help family members,” she said.
“We have been robbed of our dear daughter and her passing is a huge blow to the entire family.”
Earlier, in a telephone interview with Zimpapers, Ms Magagula’s mother, Ms Duduzile Magagula (56), said her daughter had been supporting the family and paying school fees for nine grandchildren.
“I do not know where to start or what to say. My world has collapsed,” she said.
“I stay with nine grandchildren and she was the one looking after them. She paid their school fees and catered for their upkeep.”
Ms Magagula said her daughter would often take the children to Bulawayo during school holidays and later to Harare after securing employment there.
“The grandchildren are heartbroken. Their shining light is gone. Who will now take them to town, buy them new clothes and pay their school fees?” she said.
She added that Sanelisiwe had invested in her future by building a house at the family rural home and was planning to establish a business for her mother.
Ms Magagula completed Form Four at Zwangendaba High School in Lupane before joining the Zimbabwe National Army.
After sustaining injuries during her service, she left the military and joined Bulawayo City Council as a municipal police officer. While working for the local authority, she later secured employment as an aide to Mrs Lucy Chivayo, a position she held until her untimely death.
