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MRS Bella Rehab Manyika, a veteran teacher and close friend of President Mugabe, died on Saturday at Clay Bank Hospital in Gweru following a short illness. She was 85.Mrs Manyika was buried yesterday at Gweru Central Cemetery also known as Mtapa Cemetery.
Mrs Manyika was wife to former Zimbabwe Ambassador to Yugoslavia Mr Kennedy Manyika, also a close friend of President Mugabe.
Hundreds of people turned up at Mtapa Hall for the funeral service and Mtapa Cemetery to bid farewell to one of the country’s most dedicated teachers and caring mothers.
President Mugabe sent his condolence to Ambassador Manyika and a wreath of flowers to the Manyikas following their sad loss.
Zanu-PF Politburo member Dr Cephas Msipa said President Mugabe had wanted to attend Mrs Manyika’s burial but could not make it owing to the swearing in of new Ministers yesterday.
The President also facilitated for Mrs Manyika to be given a State assisted funeral in recognition of her selfless role in serving the country as a teacher and supporting her husband in serving the country during and after the liberation struggle.
In his condolence message conveyed on his behalf by Dr Msipa, President Mugabe described Mrs Manyika as a woman of integrity and principle who was very supportive of her husband’s political career.
Dr Msipa said President Mugabe also described Mrs Manyika as a strong woman whose support of her husband during and after the liberation struggle was unwavering.
“I always tell people they must recognise heroes’ spouses. They should be supportive of women who were supportive of their husbands who served the nation diligently.
“I have known Mrs Manyika for more than 40 years. She was very supportive of her husband and was a hardworking woman.
“They were both teachers during the liberation struggle and were close friends of President Mugabe.
“I still remember when the President came riding a bicycle to attend Mrs Manyika’s wedding with Cde Manyika.
“The President sent his condolences after failing to attend the burial because of the swearing in of the Cabinet,” he said.
Cde Msipa also laid the wreath sent by the President on Mrs Manyika’s grave. Family spokesperson, Dr Noah Manyika, said Mrs Manyika served as a teacher for more than 40 years before retiring.
She taught at Hope Fountain for a long time, among other schools in Zimbabwe, before retiring and joining her husband in Yugoslavia when he was Zimbabwe’s Ambassador.
“Our mother was very loving and caring. She did not discriminate.
“She has always been the family’s pillar of strength. Now that she is gone we have been robbed of a unifying factor in the family. However, we also celebrate a life well lived,” he said.
Mrs Manyika is survived by husband, Cde Kennedy Manyika, five children and 15 grandchildren.
Online Reporter