Story by Tafara Chikumira
A church service for the late well-known Gweru farmer, Mr Henry Rushwaya was held in Gweru this Thursday evening as friends and relatives spoke highly of one of the pioneer councilors who ran the affairs of Shurugwi town council after independence.
Mr Rushwaya, who is father to ZBC board chairperson, Halliet died on Tuesday evening at Gweru Provincial Hospital at the age of 88.
Family spokesperson, Mr Garcia Rushwaya says the family has lost a pillar of strength, who was a fountain of wisdom.
“He was the father to us all. I leant everything about life from him. Most of the knowledge and education I have now was because of him. As a family we are mourning but celebrating his life as well. He has done a lot and for us to have the name Rushwaya it’s because of this man,” he said.
Friends and neighbors say the Ivene suburb will never be the same again following the demise of Mr Rushwaya.
“Ever since I started knowing this man, I never had a time to see him arguing with anyone. He was a jovial fellow. He would help us on issues to do with the development of our neighborhood,” a neighbour told the ZBC News.
Another said, “To some of us he was a great councilor and a teacher as well. Whenever we faced difficulties we would rush to sekuru Rushwaya to get some advice on how to solve such problems. It will be very difficult to find someone to fill in the void left by VaRushwaya.”
“I must say he was more than a neighbor to me as he was more of a brother. We would talk a lot about life issues in general and current affairs which he was well versed in. it’s a huge loss not only to us in Gweru but indeed to the nation,” said yet another neighbour.
The late Mr, Rushwaya’s body has since been ferried to his Somabula farm this Thursday where it will lie in state before being taken to Gutu for burial on for Saturday.
He is survived by his wife, three children and several grandchildren.
