Political leaders from across the political divide yesterday buried their differences and thronged West Park Cemetery in Bulawayo to witness the burial of MDC leader Welshman Ncube’s son, Ntabiso.
The funeral was attended by an estimated 3 000 people among them top Zanu PF, MDC-T, Zapu, MLF and MDC officials.
South African president Jacob Zuma’s daughter, Gugu, who is married to Ncube’s son, Wesley, also attended.
Ntabiso, a first year law student at Rhodes University in South Africa, died in a car accident in Harare on Saturday. He was 19 Notable figures at the burial included Justice minister Patrick Chinamasa (Zanu PF), Finance minister Tendai Biti (MDC-T), Zapu president Dumiso Dabengwa, Water minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo (MDC-T), Energy minister Elton Mangoma (MDC-T), State Enterprises and Parastatals minister Gorden Moyo (MDC-T), Education minister David Coltart (MDC) and MLF secretary-general Paul Siwela.
Members of Parliament, senators and councillors including Bulawayo’s deputy mayor, Amen Mpofu also attended. Addressing mourners at the Brethren-In-Christ Church in the city centre, MDC treasurer-general Paul Themba Nyathi described the politicians’ gesture as a sign of political maturity.
“It makes sense, if Ntabiso’s death makes us realise that it takes a village to raise a child, if it makes us realise that we have more to give each other than to take away from each other,” Nyathi said. “Our coming together shows that, as a people, we should find time to come together on issues that have nothing to do with tragedy.
“Is it not possible to come together and find a way of making our country bearable?”
Industry and Commerce deputy minister Mike Bimha (Zanu PF) said he worked well with Ncube in the ministry despite being from different political parties.
