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Walter Nyamukondiwa Chinhoyi Bureau
FORMER Mashonaland West Governor and Resident Minister, and Zanu-PF Central Committee member Cde Nelson Samkange who died on Tuesday after collapsing at his farm has been declared a provincial hero.
President Mugabe sent his condolences yesterday, saying Cde Samkange’s death was unexpected.
“It was with a deep sense of sorrow that I received the sad news of the sudden death of former Mashonaland West provincial governor and resident minister Nelson Samkange,” he said.
“I wish to express my deep condolences and sympathy, first to his wife and family and secondly to the people of Mashonaland West over this completely unexpected sudden departure of a man who served them so loyally for many years.”
President Mugabe said Cde Samkange’s father Musundi was the first Zvimba district chairman of the National Democratic party.
“He had high hopes for his son Nelson,” he said.
“He indeed was an excellent master farmer in the small communal land of the then Zvimba reserve. Nelson had now also settled down as a farmer not far from Banket where he died.”
Zanu-PF national political commissar Cde Webster Shamu said the party had been robbed of a principled and dedicated “cadre whose acceptance of responsibility at any level was driven by his love of his country and its people, his desire to see everyone he came into contact with succeed rather than fail”.
Cde Shamu said he could not accept “this devastating blow” when he heard about Cde Samkange’s death.
“His relationship with us all that he worked with was that of never wanting to be a burden to anyone.
“His departure was synonymous with his character – still waters run deep,” he said.
Family spokesperson Dr Tapfumanei Zinyowera Cde Samkange said would be buried at his rural home at Motsi Village on Saturday.
“As a family, we finalised burial arrangements with the elders, burial will be at his rural home in Motsi Village in Zvimba,” he said.
People from all walks of life who came into contact with Cde Samkange in one way or the other visited Rukoba Farm to pay their condolences yesterday.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Dr Walter Mzembi said the country had been robbed of “an oasis of knowledge” in the tourism industry who was contributing to the drive to improve the sector.
“His death is a loss to the tourism sector because he was one of the pioneers who planted the seeds of the country’s tourism industry development,” he said.
Zvimba East National Assembly member Cde Francis Mukwangwariwa said Cde Samkange was always ready to give advice.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in the President’s Office Cde Faber Chidarikire described Cde Samkange as a pillar in the province.
Chief Zvimba said his council of advisors had lost a key member who would be difficult to replace.
“We are very saddened by the loss of Cde Samkange because he was a key member of my council of advisors who was ready to share his experiences,” he said.
Online Reporter