Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira in Bikita, [email protected]
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has described the death of his niece, Shamiso, as a painful event they had to accept as a family.
The young age at which death had claimed her life, the President said, was an indication that death it was not determined by one’s age, but was part of God’s plan.
The President, who was accompanied by First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, said this yesterday while addressing mourners gathered at the family homestead in Bikita District, Masvingo Province, for the burial of his niece.
Shamiso, whose grandmother is a sister to President Mnangagwa, died last Friday and was buried at the homestead yesterday.
“None in the Mnangagwa family ever expected such a sudden death. No. We did not. It was so sudden and shocking,” said President Mnangagwa.
“What remains is the memory. Death is very painful, but it has to be accepted. If you do not accept it, you will equally die out of the loss.”
He said death knew no age as it could strike, regardless of one’s age.
“Death knows no age. If it considered one’s age, my niece, Shamiso, would have said to God, why taking me first, younger as I am, ahead of my uncle, who is much older than me,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said death was part of God’s plan, where everyone’s day was fixed just as one’s birthday.
“Only the Lord above knew her date of birth and death. Only God knows the date of your death,” he said.
“Everyone has his or her date of death written on one’s forehead but the date has been hidden from us but it is there.”
President Mnangagwa said death was not determined by votes as in politics.
“For one to be President, Member of Parliament or a councillor, you have to be voted for. But not with death. Imagine if people were to vote for one’s death?” he said.
President Mnangagwa described Shamiso as soft, hardworking and talented.
“This lady whom we are gathered here for, has been taken so early, she was young and promising. She was still a flower in the family and country. We had high hopes for her,” said President Mnangagwa.
“She was very talented, soft, respectful and was not lazy. She had a good education, always jovial. We say God gave us and has taken and he does so at his will.”
The President commended the huge crowd that came to mourn with his family, saying it was a demonstration of love and unity.
The First Lady, Dr Mnangagwa, said Shamiso’s passing had deeply saddened the family, adding that they would always cherish her life, the love she shared and the values she upheld as a member of the family.
“Shamiso was a gentle, kind and respectful woman. Whenever I visited this home, she was always the first to welcome me,” she said.
“The last time I came here, I was surprised that she did not come out to receive me. I assumed she had gone out, only to be told that she was unwell and suffering from pain in her legs.”
Dr Mnangagwa said while a mother is the first to nurture a child’s character and values, once a child is born, they ultimately become a child of the whole community.
The First Lady said it is therefore everyone’s responsibility to help raise children with good morals and upright character, who are respectful, humble and well-mannered.
Zanu-PF National Chairman and Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri commended President Mnangagwa for his great efforts in turning around the country’s economy.
She said it was for that reason that a huge crowd came to commiserate with President Mnangagwa.
Several speakers, who include senior Government officials, relatives and friends, commended President Mnangagwa’s leadership and spoke well about Shamiso’s legacy. They include Minister of National Security and Zanu-PF Politburo member, Cde Lovemore Matuke, Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Cde Ezra Chadzamira, Zanu-PF Provincial Chairperson for Masvingo province Cde Robson Mavhenyengwa, Shamiso’s uncle, Cde Tongai Mnangagwa among others.
Hundreds of people drawn from across the country thronged the Mnangagwa family homestead to pay their last respects.
They include Government Ministers, Zanu-PF Politburo members, businesspersons, different church denominations, relatives and friends.
