It was a majestic send-off for national heroine Masvingo
Provincial Affairs Minister Senator Shuvai Ben Mahofa, a veteran politician,
who was laid to rest before thousands of people at the National Heroes Acre
yesterday. Sen Mahofa died at Makurira Memorial Clinic after collapsing at her
Rhodene home in Masvingo on Sunday last week. Celebrated as a steadfast
proponent of development, Sen Mahofa’s burial yesterday drew mourners who
included high-ranking Government officials and Zanu-PF members, diplomats,
captains of industry, friends and relatives.
Proceedings began in the morning with hundreds of mourners
converging at Stodart Hall in Mbare, Harare, for body-viewing. Groups of women
and youths sang songs celebrating the life of Sen Mahofa.
Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, who was accompanied by
his wife Laurinda, led the body-viewing ceremony.
Home Affairs Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo, Speaker of
Parliament Advocate Jacob Mudenda, Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi, Finance
Minister Patrick Chinamasa, Minister of State for Harare Provincial Affairs
Miriam Chikukwa, Senate President Edna Madzongwe, Health and Child Care
Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa, Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi
and service chiefs attended the brief ceremony at Stodart Hall.
Others who were present included relatives, friends, senior
Zanu-PF officials and party youths who were singing and dancing. After
body-viewing, the body was ferried to its final resting place at the national
shrine on a gun carriage.
The white casket bearing the body of the veteran politician
was draped in national colours.
The national shrine was a hive of activity, with musical
groups crooning as dignitaries arrived ahead of the burial.
Banners inscribed with messages extolling the virtues of
Mai Mahofa were all over the shrine.
“Gwendo Gwenyu Gwafambwa,” screamed one banner.
Another banner read “Champion of empowerment” in
recognition of Sen Mahofa’s initiatives for women empowerment in Masvingo. But
it was the banner inscribed “Chikoforo, Simbi Yebasa”, which proved popular.
Reverend Togarirepi Chivaviro stole the hearts of mourners
when he belted out his hit song Ebenezer. Rev Chivaviro is a nephew to Sen
Mahofa.
However, a sombre atmosphere engulfed the shrine when the
body arrived accompanied by Vice President Mphoko.
Pall bearers in a slow march took the casket to the Tomb of
the Unknown Soldier for formalities.
The proceedings then commenced with Rev Rangarirai Mutsotso
of the Reformed Church leading in prayer.
When he took to the podium, the family spokesperson and Sen
Mahofa’s grandson Mr Hurbert Mahofa, hailed President Mugabe and Zanu-PF for
according his grandmother, whom he described as the “Iron Lady of Masvingo”,
national heroine status.
He spoke glowingly of his grandmother for championing the
cause of women and youth employment in Masvingo and initiating projects around
Tokwe-Mukosi Dam and the Beitbridge-Harare highway.
“Now that Gogo is gone. Let us shun tribalism, regionalism,
sexism and all the other bad things,” said Mr Mahofa, who said his grandmother
was a peace-loving woman who did not discriminate any one because of race,
gender or tribe.
“My Gogo’s compassion and generosity knew no boundaries.
She supported Barcelona FC and liked Lionel Messi.”
Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs Advocate Minister
Advocate Martin Dinha said: “Mai Mahofa was a very illustrious daughter of the
soil. She deserved to be buried here. As one of our own we are happy that good
works in terms of initiating development in Masvingo and uniting the province
and her work nationally, during the liberation struggle and after, has been
recognized. We are very relieved as one of our own that Government has seen
that Ministers of Provincial Affairs wherever there are play a pivotal role in
the development of the country. This makes us very happy.”
Rev Chivaviro said his aunt was a family unifier who was
gifted in terms of solving problematic issues in the family.
“She was politically busy but she would always find time
for the family and relatives. She was a responsible aunt who was always
available whenever you wanted to see her,” he said.
Asked how he felt when he sang the song Ebenezer in tribute
to his aunt, Rev Chivaviro said he felt emotional because Mai Mahofa was not only
his aunt but the biggest fan of his music. “She would buy my CD’s and
distribute them in her constituency, supporting me,” he said.
Rev Chivaviro said he was considering composing a song in
Senator Mahofa’s honour.
Secretary for administration in the Zanu-PF Women’s League
Cde Letitia Undenge also paid tribute to Mai Mahofa.
She said: “Mai Mahofa was part of our executive. In terms
of her execution of duty she was quite diligent. A pillar of strength and most
of the contribution that she made to the Women’s League saw the league at the
next higher level every time.”
Cde Undenge said Mai Mahofa was a loving person who would
sadly be missed given her astuteness in uniting the people.
“She was courageous and liked to stress a point on what she
believed in and encouraged women to do projects as well as working hard.”
National political commissar Cde Saviour Kasukuwere, who
nicknamed Mai Mahofa “Chikoforo”, described her as a true liberator of the
armed struggle, who worked for the party and the nation with great commitment
and dedication.
On Friday, hundreds of people thronged Mpandawana Growth
Point in Gutu to receive the body of national heroine. Sen Mahofa died at Makurira Memorial Hospital in Masvingo.
She was 76. Sen Mahofa had battled poor health since 2015. She was
declared a national heroine and was buried at the National Heroes Acre
yesterday.
Sen Mahofa was born in 1941 in Chivi. She attended Chibi
Mission and Morgenster Mission schools.
Sen Mahofa enrolled for a nurse training course at
Morgenster Mission where she attained a Diploma in Nursing between 1958 and
1960.
In 1973 she enrolled for a Diploma in Community Development
at Domboshava Training Centre and was active in early nationalist politics that
saw her joining the United National Democratic Party. She then joined Zapu in
1960 and Zanu in 1963.
Sen Mahofa was a renowned war collaborator, who worked with
the likes of late national hero Dr Simon Mazorodze supplying clothes and medicines
to freedom fighters.
From 1980 to 1984 she was councillor for Ward 20 in Tirizi,
Gutu, and at the same time served as the first woman council chairperson for
Gutu District.
Minister Mahofa was elected Gutu South Member of Parliament
in 1985 and occupied the seat until 2008.
She also served as the first Zanu-PF Women’s League
provincial leader for Masvingo in the 1980s.
Minister Mahofa served as deputy Minister of Women’s
Affairs from 1987 to 1992 and Political Affairs Deputy Minister from 1992 to
1997.
From 1998 to 2007 she served as Deputy Minister of Gender
and Youth Development.
In 2013 she was elected Senator before her appointment as
Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister in February 2015, a post she was currently
occupying. herald
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