Online Reporter
Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
THE mother of Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Commander, Lieutenant General Asher Walter Tapfumaneyi, Gogo Violet Machiva Gonyora, has died.
She was 93.
Gogo Gonyora passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday at Little England Farm in Zvimba, where she had been under the care of her daughter, Georgina.
She will be buried today in Hwedza.
Family members and associates described her as a “unifier” and a disciplined matriarch whose firm, but loving guidance shaped the lives of her children and grandchildren.
Speaking during a church service at the Charles Gumbo Barracks in Harare yesterday, family spokesperson Mr George Gonyora expressed gratitude for her long life.
“Since 2004, she faced the typical health challenges that come with old age. Although she managed conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and asthma, these were well-controlled, and she never reached a point of requiring hospitalisation.
“Even the day before she passed, she seemed well. She died peacefully in her sleep this past Sunday. She looked so serene that one would have assumed she was simply napping. We are deeply grateful to God for protecting her and blessing her with 93 years of life.”
He also clarified that Gogo Gonyora had spent much of her life in her rural home in Hwedza, before relocating to receive better care.
“For most of her life, our mother resided in Hwedza,” he said.
“However, in 2004, noticing her declining health, we moved her to Little England Farm to live under the care of her daughter. Since then, we have all taken turns caring for her. When she passed away yesterday, she was in the care of Georgina.”
Gogo Gonyora was widely hailed as a firm, but loving mentor. Her grandson, Elias Gonyora, credited her “no-nonsense” approach to parenting for the discipline seen in the ZNA Commander.
“She wanted to see well-disciplined children. Even the General himself knows that. Her grooming skills led to the birth of the General, who is a well-disciplined soldier,” Elias said.
Other relatives, also credited her providing wisdom to the extended family.
“Our auntie was very friendly and everyone would feel comfortable being around her.
“To me, she was my best friend, most of the time she would always give me advise and tell me her wishes,” her niece Fadzai Machiva.
Cosmas Machiva , her nephew also echoed similar sentiments describing her as unifier.
“As I was growing up, my auntie would give respect and she was a unifier. I also thank God for protecting her because very few people are reaching to that age.”
Gogo Gonyora is survived by five children: George, Jealous, Asher Walter, Georgina and Donald.
Her remains were taken to Hwedza yesterday, with burial scheduled for today at her rural home.
These are our heroins who deserve to be buried at the national shrine. Giving birth to a war hero is the most important part of our liberation. That is where it all began. Without such women who bore these gallant sons and daughters who prosecuted the liberation struggle, this country would still be under colonial yoke. These are our true S/heroes and deserve our full respect.