Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube, [email protected]
BUSINESSWOMAN and Miss Rural and Mr Rural Zimbabwe Founder Sipho Mazibuko and Bulawayo Ward 9 councillor Donaldson Mabutho have become the first to answer a distress call by the family of the late Talent Masuku with donations towards his burial.
Masuku died at Mpilo Central Hospital on 28 May after being admitted while on remand at Khami Prison over a case of alleged theft and other related charges.
Mnyaradzi Innocent Kavayi, representing Sipho Mazibuko under the Mental Voices Trust, confirmed that the organisation will take full responsibility for the funeral arrangements, including the coffin, food, transport and all burial-related costs to ensure a dignified send-off.Speaking to
B-Metro, Kavayi said the organisation acted immediately after receiving a distress call from the grieving family.
“As Mental Voices Trust, under Sipho Mazibuko, we are not only assisting partially, but we are taking responsibility for the full funeral arrangements. We will ensure that everything required for the burial is covered, including the coffin, transport, food and all related expenses. We felt it was necessary to stand with the family during this painful time because Talent suffered from a mental health disorder and we identify with his struggles,” he said.
He added that the organisation moved swiftly to ease the burden on the family during the difficult period.
Councillor Mabutho also confirmed his support, saying Talent was a well-known figure in Bulawayo who was widely accepted within the community.
“Talent was one of Bulawayo’s role models. We used to appreciate him in the way God created him. People who knew him very well did not have a problem with him,” he said.
He said the loss had deeply affected many people across Matabeleland and urged the business community to also assist the family.
“This is hard for Matabeleland. I, together with the CEO of Royal Elegance Cosmetics, will donate US$300 towards his burial. We also call upon all business people in the city to come on board and assist the family so that we give him a proper send-off. It is very sad for the business sector as he was very important when it came to marketing our products. It is sad to lose him at such a young age,” he said.
The rapid response on 29 May, a day after Masuku’s death, has been described as a remarkable show of solidarity.
However, despite the support and funeral arrangements now underway, the Masuku family says it is still searching for answers over the circumstances surrounding his death while in custody.
His aunts, Vivian Masuku and Nora Masuku, said the family was struggling to understand what led to his sudden death.
“We just want the truth about what really happened to Talent because when his uncle visited him last week Tuesday, he was fine and talking properly. We never expected to receive news that he had died,” said Vivian Masuku while in tears.
Nora Masuku said the family was shocked by how quickly his condition deteriorated and by the lack of communication.
“We are in pain because nobody informed us that he had been admitted to hospital. We only found out through other people. By the time we got there, we were being told he had not eaten for days and needed feeding tubes and medication. We are still searching for answers about what really happened,” she said.
