Story by Tafara Chikumira
THE Midlands province has been plunged into mourning after the death of prominent Gweru businessman and philanthropist Mr Lazarus Chikadaya this Wednesday.
The Drawlink founding Director, Mr Chikadaya died in Harare this Wednesday after a short illness.
Family spokesperson Ms Conceptor Mpofu told ZBC News they have been robbed of a key figure in the family.
“He was everything in this family. He would take everyone on board without segregation. The void he has left will be difficult to fill. We have just been robbed, and it took us by a huge surprise.”
The construction industry has been left poorer as Mr Chikadaya was among those who are pushing the country’s industrialisation agenda.
“I must say it is not only the Southern Region that has lost, but the whole country at large. Mr Chikadaya was instrumental in road construction currently being spearheaded by the Second Republic. In Gweru, he is in the top two of those in the construction industry in terms of capacity. He changed the lives of many,” Businessman, Dr Josiya Tayi said.
“He inspired me to return to the construction industry after I had stopped. He has contributed immensely to the country’s development. One thing I liked about the way he was doing business was his ability to romp in his family. This will ensure continuity, so I am generally not worried about the company going forward.”
Workers from his establishments added their voices saying although they have lost the head of the ship, they will work hard to ensure Mr Chikadaya’s dream remains alive.
“He was not only my boss, but rather a mentor. He taught me some serious life lessons that have changed my life in general. I am who I am today because of Mr Chikadaya,” an employee said.
“To me, Mr Chikadaya was more than my boss. He took me from the streets and offered me a life. He was more like a father figure to me,” another said.
Last year, Mr Chikadaya’s construction firm took the industry by storm after he acquired an asphalt-making machine worth US$500 000, which ensured import substitution for the product, critical in road construction.
He is survived by his wife Jane and three children.
Mourners are gathered at house number 26 Bradley road in Windsor Park, Gweru.
