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‘Jimmy Jimalo was a man of the people’

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Hundreds of mourners attended a church service for the late music promoter and business man, James “Jimmy Jimalo” Chiyangwa, at the Roman Catholic Church in Highfield. People from all walks of life, who attended the service, described him as a man of the people who would be sorely missed. Jimalo, as he was affectionately known, […]

Hundreds of mourners attended a church service for the late music promoter and business man, James “Jimmy Jimalo” Chiyangwa, at the Roman Catholic Church in Highfield.

People from all walks of life, who attended the service, described him as a man of the people who would be sorely missed.

Jimalo, as he was affectionately known, died on Saturday at a private clinic in Harare after a long struggle with cancer.

Various Highfield residents described Jimalo as a kind person who stood by them whenever they needed help.

“He used to let me buy alcohol from his bottle store without empty bottles and he used to tell us that if ever he was to die, we should celebrate his life just the same way we did for the late Joe Masters,” said one mourner.

Others said he had helped them with transport at funerals. Jimalo had a fleet of buses, a nightclub and several bottle stores around the country. “Jimmy stood by me during the bad and good times, he was my burden bearer. I have lost someone who was part of me,” said Jimalo’s brother Phillip.

He said James always had time to listen to everyone and he took up some responsibilities in the family.

“I want to thank his dear wife, who nursed him throughout the time of his illness, and I would like to thank the Mtetwa family for letting us marry her,” he said.

“It is God’s time and I must say only God knows what’s best for my brother. We are mourning yes, but God has selected the right time to take him,” said his sister, Vimbikai.

Also present at the service were Media, Information and Publicity minister Webster Shamu and former Harare mayor Charles Tawengwa. Musicians who included Allan and Sulumani Chimbetu as well as Charles and Olivia Charamba also expressed their condolences.

Jimalo is survived by his wife Agnes and five children, Rita, James, Devaris, Raymond and Mike. He will be buried tomorrow at Chiyangwa Village in Zvimba.