President to attend Mai Msipa’s burial

Rugare Gumbo confirmed the development yesterday.
“His Excellency, President Robert Mugabe will be coming tomorrow (today) morning to convey his condolences to Cde Msipa and his family following the death of Mrs Msipa,” Cde Gumbo said.

“Cde Jason Machaya, the Governor of Midlands has already prepared a programme for the burial of Mrs Msipa in consultation with the President’s Office.”
Mrs Msipa, who died on Saturday night, will be buried today at the Midlands Provincial Heroes Acre in Gweru at about 1.40pm.

According to the draft burial programme, President Mugabe, would visit the Msipa home in Gweru East at around 9.30am to convey his condolences to the former Midlands Governor and his family.

The hearse is expected to leave home at 9.45am for the Anglican Cathedral where a funeral mass will be held.
At around 12pm, the mass and body viewing are expected to have been concluded and the funeral procession will move to the provincial heroes acre.
President Mugabe would address the mourners at about 12.40pm.

Mrs Msipa, born Charlotte Sithabile Mathabela, died on Saturday night while on her way to hospital following a short illness.
She had been a diabetic and high blood pressure patient for more than 30 years.

Dr Msipa met his wife in 1955 when the two were teachers at Amaveni Primary School in Kwekwe.
They got married in 1960.

According to Dr Msipa, Mrs Msipa grew up in Kwekwe and went to Globe and Phoenix Primary School.
She later went for a teacher training course at Thekwane Methodist Training School before she came to teach at Amaveni Primary School where Dr Msipa was working as a teacher.
In 1959, she undertook a course in Home Economics at Monte Casino in Macheke.

Dr Msipa, who was then a headmaster, was transferred to Mufakose High 1 in Harare in 1961.
He was immediately arrested and detained following UDI in 1965 leaving his late wife with the burden of looking after their three young sons.

Mrs Msipa had to also takeover the responsibility of looking after Dr Msipa’s parents and siblings, since her husband was the family breadwinner before his arrest.
She managed to fend for the family for all the years Dr Msipa was in prison until 1970 when he was released.
Mrs Msipa was conferred with liberation war heroine status by the Zanu-PF Politburo for the unwavering support she gave to her husband throughout his political journey.