Story by Tafara Chikumira
THE Simon Vengai Muzenda Golf Championship teed off at Gweru Golf Club this Saturday, with the occasion providing a platform for Zimbabweans to revisit the life of the late veteran nationalist.
The event is being held in honour of the late Vice President Dr Simon Muzenda, a veteran of the liberation struggle and one of the country’s founding nationalists.
The government is humbled by the works of the late veteran nationalist which continues to inspire generations long after he passed on.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, The Former Vice President is regarded as the Soul of the Nation due to his influence and impact on political and administrative discourse.
“His political career as a nationalist spread across the entire country and as far wide as Zambia, and Mozambique where bases for the war of liberation were first established.
“Dr Mzee left a legacy of humility, promotion of values of Ubuntu, unity, peace, wisdom, honesty, straightforwardness, and principled character.
“Important to note is that Dr Mzee is credited for the establishment of Great Zimbabwe University in Masvingo, improved networks and irrigation schemes among several other projects,” Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube said.
The event, which has been listed on the Zimbabwe national Golf Calendar and is a world Amateur Golf accredited occasion, was oversubscribed with over 120 participants gracing the championship for honours.
The Late Nationalist’s Trust is grateful to the Second Republic for the support it is rendering to the family, which goes a long way in supporting the disadvantaged in society.
“It’s quite an honour that we continue to receive such support. Our father was quite a passionate person. It’s quite befitting that we continue supporting his cause of assisting the underprivileged in society.
“This will help those children who need school fees. It will also help with scholarships for young golfers. A good example is Miriam Masiya. We assisted her from primary school until she was adopted by the Heritage. We will continue looking for some underprivileged children to assist,” said Simon Vengai Muzenda Golf Championship patron, Captain Vengai Vitalis Muzenda.
The late Dr Muzenda, alongside some of the country’s founding nationalists including President Emmerson Emmerson Mnangagwa, attended ZANU’s First congress held in Gweru in 1964 where he was elected the party’s Organising Secretary.
Dr Muzenda became the First Vice President of the country in 1988 and held the position until the time of his untimely departure on the 20th of September 2003.
