The Sunday News
HUNDREDS of Zimbabweans yesterday converged on Bulawayo’s Lady Stanley Cemetery to witness the burial of veteran nationalist, businessman and Highlanders Football Club patron Cde Tafi Zibuya Moyo.
Cde Moyo, who was aged 108, died at Mater Dei Hospital in the early hours of Monday morning after being admitted to the health institution about two weeks ago due to complications associated with old age.
He was given a State-assisted burial.
Speaking at the burial, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in the Metropolitan province of Bulawayo, Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo said Cde Moyo was a great man both as an individual and a nationalist, hence the decision by President Mugabe to award him a State assisted burial.
“As you all know that Zanu PF had a congress last week and straight after that the Politiburo was dissolved and this was just about the same time that Tafi passed away, there was a vacuum where the organ that was meant to decide on the hero status was not in place. However, President Mugabe, after noting the contributions Cde Moyo made to this nation, used his powers to order a State-assisted burial.
“I know that right now a lot of rumours are being peddled around that we refused him the hero status, this is not true. Everyone here knows that this person we are mourning today is a true hero. Besides, we had to respect one of his last wishes that he be buried between his late two wives,” she said.
She paid tribute to the contributions that the late Cde Moyo had made towards the liberation of the country, noting that he was a man who did not mind any recognition but was genuine in his support of the struggle against white rule.
“Tafi was a jack of all trades and a master of all; he mastered politics, business and most importantly the social aspect of life, where he personally carried Highlanders Football Club on his shoulders.
“What we should learn from today is his genuineness; he never at one point demanded a political tag but wanted to be an underground operator. He was just a nationalist, he was never a member of any political movement, even after independence he never at any point demanded a position, no wonder all his children are successful in their own right, they learnt from the best,” said the Minister.
Speaking at the same occasion, Zanu PF spokesperson and newly appointed Minister of Economic Planning Cde Simon Khaya Moyo also paid homage to Cde Moyo, saying he was one of the greatest leaders ever produced in the country.
“To say he has died would be wrong because great leaders never die but they depart for greater responsibilities. I can safely say that right now he is seated next to other great leaders like the late Vice President Dr Joshua Nkomo and they are discussing and watching over us.
“This man was a man of the people and it would be essentially wrong to discuss our history without mentioning Tafi Moyo; that is how great he was. I remember at one point he acted as a link between Dr Nkomo and President Mugabe who were by then in detention at different prisons,” Cde Khaya Moyo said.
Cde Moyo’s son, Trademan, thanked mourners who had come to witness the burial for turning up in their numbers to pay their last respects to his late father.
Also in attendance were Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Cde Andrew Langa, Minister of Small to Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development, Cde Sithembiso Nyoni, Zanu PF Central Committee members, Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu and Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube, Highlanders Football Club administrators, coaches and players among several other dignitaries.
He was buried between the graves of his two wives, Rosina Tshandapiwa Tafi Moyo and Emma Gali Moyo.
