MATABELELAND NORTH yesterday bade farewell to the late former Provincial Affairs minister and Zanu PF deputy secretary in the women’s league, Thokozile Angela Mathuthu who succumbed to cervical cancer on Monday.
By Nokuthaba Dlamini
Mathuthu’s body arrived mid- morning at Hwange Colliery Stadium from Nengasha Village where mourners including senior government officials, church members, Zanu PF supporters, relatives and locals turned up in huge numbers.
Matabeleland Provincial Affairs minister Cain Mathema said Mathuthu was a dedicated member of the party since her teenage days.
“She was driven by the spirit of the revolution. She was 19 years when she became part and parcel of Zapu movement driven by the spirit of serving the people of Matabeleland North,” Mathema said.
“It is that spirit that made her to join the underground movement and to work for the party and the people. The spirit of wanting government to create a conducive system that will enable us to create an economic system that will make everyone rich; otherwise there was no point of joining the liberation.”
He said Mathuthu condemned tribalism in the country.
“Those were the things that were created by Cecil John Rhodes and Ian Smith who came and said there are Ndebele, Shona and Tonga people, yet they found us as people who welcomed one another. So let that spirit be our unifier,” Mathema said.
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Mathuthu’s husband, Jonathan, encouraged mourners to take her death as a celebration as she had played her part in the country despite a long and excruciating illness.
Zanu PF women’s league executive member, Tambudzani Mohadi said Mathuthu defied all odds and worked tirelessly even on her death bed.
Provincial administrator Lathiso Dlamini revealed that Mathuthu advocated for the establishment of Lupane State University, a provincial dam and government offices among other developmental projects.
After a church service and body viewing, Mathuthu’s body was taken to her home in Mpumalanga suburb where she spent a night before flying to Bulawayo today. She is expected to be buried at the National Heroes Acre on Sunday.
