Nyore Madzianike
Senior Reporter
VICE PRESIDENT Dr Kembo Mohadi has paid tribute to his late brother, Mr Joel Mutombgwera, describing him as a good man whose legacy of faith, love and family unity should be preserved.
Mr Mutombgwera died on October 5 and was buried at the Warren Hills Cemetery in Harare. Addressing mourners at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel in Harare yesterday, VP Mohadi said he was struggling to come to terms with his brother’s death, describing the loss as deeply painful.
“Today he has been taken away from us; we have been robbed of him,” he said.
“But, as many have said, as many of my kids have said, and anyone else who had the opportunity to take this platform, said, he was a good man. He was a good man and all the good deeds of a man live out there and if it were not so, we would not be here to bid him farewell.”
The Vice President encouraged family members to remain united and prayerful as they come to terms with the loss.
“This is the reality that we are faced with. What’s left for us is to give him a decent farewell,” he said.
VP Mohadi said he had struggled to console himself after receiving news of his brother’s death, despite trying to comfort the family member who had broken the news to him.
“When she phoned me to say that, in fact, she said, ‘Your brother is no more.’ That’s what she said when she was crying. I said to her, ‘Come here and she came,’” he said.
“I tried to console her. But at that very moment, I failed to console myself. So, we are both in the same situation.
“I’m deeply grieved. I’m sad. But this is what has happened. All the time I thought things would come the other way. I thought we were well-prepared. . . . We have lost him.”
The Vice President said he hoped his brother’s legacy would endure, urging relatives to resolve any differences amicably and continue supporting one another.
“As I said earlier on, I would want to see you later. If there is anything that is going to come between us, please sit down and talk about it, to assist each other,” he said.
“I would want that legacy he bequeathed to us to remain within us forever.”
VP Mohadi paid tribute to his brother’s character, faith and sense of humour, appealing for his spirit to continue guiding the family and the wider clan.
“We are no longer going to witness your humour, but will remember that you left your family. You left your children,” he said.
“You left your younger brother. You left the extended family and wherever you will be, because you are no longer like us; you are more powerful than us now.”
Other speakers described Mr Mutombgwera as a prayerful man, whose life was centred on helping family members and the wider community.
