The late James “Jimmy Jimalo” Chiyangwa got a hero’s send-off as multitudes thronged Chiyangwa Village for his burial in Zvimba yesterday.
Politicians, businesspeople, musicians, villagers, friends and relatives came in their numbers to pay their last respects to Chiyangwa, who succumbed to cancer last Saturday.
In their eulogies, speakers showered him with praises and reiterated the late businessman and music promoter was indeed a man of the people.
“I am here because Jimmy was a friend of my late friend and also because he took his place as a promoter who stood by musicians as he was usually a strong hand of support behind our performances,” said music superstar Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, adding Chiyangwa provided buses for free at the funeral of his late son Sam last year.
“Jimalo knew that he was dying and just before his death he requested that his body be paraded in Gwanzura Stadium (in Highfield) but, unfortunately, we failed to do that for him,” said his close friend and businessman Regis Munenzva.
Munenzva said the late Chiyangwa’s heart was with his youngest son, James (Jnr), whom he mentioned more and more just before dying.
Another emotional statement came from ailing musician Prince Tendai Mupfurutsa who sent a condolence message from China where he is receiving medical attention.
Among those at the burial were Media, Information and Publicity minister Webster Shamu, Registrar-General Tobaiwa Mudede and musicians Sulumani Chimbetu, Tongai Moyo and Nicholas Zacharia, among others.
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Chimbetu gave a stirring send-off performance just as Jimalo had reportedly requested just before he died.
