By Kenias Chivuzhe
Former Manicaland Governor Cde Kenneth Manyonda has died.
The former Manicaland Province Governor and Deputy Minister of Industry and International Trade Cde Kenneth Manyonda, who was now Chief Nerutanga, died in Harare this Wednesday morning after a long illness.
Family representative Cde Misheck Mugadza said the family is saddened by the untimely passing on of Chief Nerutanga.
“We are saddened as a family by the death of our father and family leader cde Kenneth Manyonda who was now Chief Nerutanga. The family remembers Cde Manyonda for his support to family members as he was passionate in assisting his own people.”
Chief Chimombe, whose area borders with Chief Nerutanga, was at loss of words after receiving the sad news, describing the late Cde Manyonda as a development-oriented leader whose vision helped to transform Buhera.
“Kenneth Manyonda was my neighbour. He was our Member of Parliament and he made a mark in developing Buhera into a leading cattle rearing district .We thank him for his able leadership,” he said.
The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said in Cde Manyonda the country has lost a hard worker and a unifier.
“This is a sad moment indeed following the passing on of Cde Kenneth Manyonda. Cde Manyonda is well known in this province as he worked so hard for Manicaland Province. He excelled in whatever he did and made a huge contribution in developing Manicaland province and uniting the people He was a unifier and we have lost as a province and the country,” she said.
Born in 1934 in Buhera, Cde Manyonda was one of the nationalists who played an important role in mobilising people against colonial rule.
A trade unionist during the then Rhodesia, he became a member of the African National Congress (ANC) soon after its formation and joined the Democratic Party after ANC was banned.
Cde Manyonda later Joined ZAPU before joining ZANU after its formation in 1963.
He was arrested in 1966, spending two years in detention.
Cde Manyonda, who held several leadership positions in Government and ZANU PF after independence, is remembered for nurturing a number of political leaders in Manicaland province and beyond.
Mourners are gathered at Number 46 Guilford Road, Brookview Hogerty Hill, Borrowdale, in Harare.
Burial arrangements will be announced in due course.
