Tragic Zanele Teaches Combative Moyo To Embrace Others

Dust to dust … Moyo (2nd from right) and family at the burial of Zanele in Harare FridayHIGHER education minister Jonathan Moyo’s pain was palpable Friday as he laid his daughter, Zanele, to rest at Glen Forest in Harare.

But the tragic Zanele’s profound and enduring gift, to Zimbabwe likely, is probably the lesson she taught her father with her untimely passing.

“We’re all God’s people no matter whatever titles or stations in life,” Moyo said in his graveside address.

“I saw that this was a reminder of the truth that many have always known that they live every day. For others and myself, this was a profound lesson.”

Moyo is a combative, unapologetic and, some would say, hard-hearted defender of President Robert Mugabe’s regime which is accused of gross human rights abuses.

As a politician, Moyo gives no quarter, knows no empathy and is often dismissive of the losses of others, especially rivals.

Quite recently, Moyo said of the disappeared human rights activist Itai Dzamara that “people disappear everyday”, clearly unconcerned about the long missing campaigner’s hurting wife and little children.

But why? … Family members say their farewells to Zanele Moyo

But speaking as a suffering father on Friday, Moyo was more embracing of others, saying his daughter had taught him that “all people are God’s children”.

“I found myself renewing my own faith and presenting myself to the Lord because of the power of the messages from the pastors.

“The message shall be a part of me for as long as I live.”

Zanele, aged 20, was found dead in her off-campus apartment in South Africa. She was a second year student at the University of South Africa.

The cause of death remains unclear with South African authorities having reportedly said results of toxicology tests would not be available for five years.

Moyo expressed his gratitude for the support the family received from Zimbabweans over the tragedy.

“I thank President Mugabe, Cabinet Ministers and everyone for your support throughout the week especially upon our return with the body of my dear angel daughter on Wednesday.”

His Kenyan wife Beatrice added: “We’ve left our children to be brought up by technology when we the parents are there.

“In Kenya, (her home country) it was everyone’s responsibility to bring up a child, but now we choose to label children and blame the parents instead of disciplining them.

“We are losing our children because of that.”

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa also visited the family at its Harare home and offered his sympathies.

“Zanele aspired to be a lawyer and work for Zimbabwe,” he said.

“As parents we inspire to educate our children. Now when death takes away the young? It shows that whenever we are, no matter what age, death can come according to the will of God.”source-newzimbabwe

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