Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI – The late veteran educationist
and Zaka East Member of Parliament (MP), Katson Gumbwanda was laid to rest at
his homestead in Chekenyere last weekend, with Members of Parliament (MPs) from
across the political divide attending his funeral.
and Zaka East Member of Parliament (MP), Katson Gumbwanda was laid to rest at
his homestead in Chekenyere last weekend, with Members of Parliament (MPs) from
across the political divide attending his funeral.
MDC parliamentary chief whip
Prosper Mutseyami, his Zanu PF counterpart Pupurai Togarepi, senior MDC member
Innocent Gonese and the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Ezra
Chadzamira were among prominent politicians that came to pay their last respects.
Prosper Mutseyami, his Zanu PF counterpart Pupurai Togarepi, senior MDC member
Innocent Gonese and the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Ezra
Chadzamira were among prominent politicians that came to pay their last respects.
“We lost a cadre who
was humble, who attended all parliamentary sessions and committee meetings
without fail. He respected everyone regardless of age or political affiliation
and that’s why you see all these MPs who came. Oftentimes, you only find
colleagues from the same political party coming together when this kind of
misfortune occurs but it is all different this time around. He was sociable and
was liked by people from all the parties,” said Togarepi.
was humble, who attended all parliamentary sessions and committee meetings
without fail. He respected everyone regardless of age or political affiliation
and that’s why you see all these MPs who came. Oftentimes, you only find
colleagues from the same political party coming together when this kind of
misfortune occurs but it is all different this time around. He was sociable and
was liked by people from all the parties,” said Togarepi.
In his remarks, Chadzamira
said he hoped the person who will take over the parliamentary seat will be just
as good as Gumbwanda.
said he hoped the person who will take over the parliamentary seat will be just
as good as Gumbwanda.
“Gumbwanda was quiet
and was a man of action not words. We hope God will replace him with his true
replica. He was an educationist who taught and led other teachers,” said
Chadzamira.
and was a man of action not words. We hope God will replace him with his true
replica. He was an educationist who taught and led other teachers,” said
Chadzamira.
Deputy Minister of Social
Welfare and Zanu PF secretary for security in the politburo, Lovemore Matuke
said Gumwanda was a hero in his own right.
Welfare and Zanu PF secretary for security in the politburo, Lovemore Matuke
said Gumwanda was a hero in his own right.
“We have lost a hero
who was soft and humble. In Parliament, he interacted with everyone because parliament
should be one family. He proved to be a national leader and that is why you see
people from different political parties mourning him,” said Matuke.
who was soft and humble. In Parliament, he interacted with everyone because parliament
should be one family. He proved to be a national leader and that is why you see
people from different political parties mourning him,” said Matuke.
Gumbwanda, who died in
Harare on June 25 after suffering from pneumonia, was born in February 15,
1952.
Harare on June 25 after suffering from pneumonia, was born in February 15,
1952.
He did his primary education
at Rudhanda Primary School before proceeding Chibi Mission High School for his
secondary education.
at Rudhanda Primary School before proceeding Chibi Mission High School for his
secondary education.
He attended Mkoba Teachers’
College and began teaching in 1982 before retiring in 2017 after serving for
many years as school head at Dabwa Primary, a school which is his home area.
College and began teaching in 1982 before retiring in 2017 after serving for
many years as school head at Dabwa Primary, a school which is his home area.
From 1987-2008, he served as
Zaka Rural District Council (RDC) Ward 30 councillor while maintaining his job
as a school teacher. He often received praised for his ethical conduct and
ability to separate politics from his professional duties.
Zaka Rural District Council (RDC) Ward 30 councillor while maintaining his job
as a school teacher. He often received praised for his ethical conduct and
ability to separate politics from his professional duties.
During his tenure as
councillor, Gumbwanda also served as Zanu PF Zaka district chairperson.
councillor, Gumbwanda also served as Zanu PF Zaka district chairperson.
He is survived with his
wife, six children and many grandchildren
wife, six children and many grandchildren
