News / Local
Bosso legend declared liberation hero
13 Dec 2014 at 11:42hrs | Views
Prominent Bulawayo businessperson and Highlanders FC benefactor, Tafi Moyo, who died on Monday at the age of 108 has been granted liberation hero status and will receive a state assisted funeral, the Zanu-PF chairperson for Bulawayo, Callistus Ndlovu, said on Friday.
The Ndlovu-led executive had earlier during the week recommended to the ruling party leadership that Moyo be declared a national hero for his contribution to the liberation of the country from colonial bondage.
On Friday, Ndlovu told The Zimbabwe Mail said that had since received a response to their request for Moyo's national hero status.
"We had requested for national hero status for Moyo, but he has been granted liberation hero status and will receive a state assisted funeral," he said. "As arranged, he will be laid to rest at the Lady Stanley Cemetery here in Bulawayo tomorrow(today)."
Moyo's family had already arranged for his burial today at Lady Stanley after a church service at the Bulawayo Amphitheatre.
Apart from being a pioneering indigenous businessperson who had a chain of stores under the name Try Again and a fleet of buses using the same name in Matabeleland, Moyo played a pivotal role in the armed struggle, providing both financial and material assistance.
As a result of his role in the liberation struggle, he was arrested and detained on a number of occasions including his detention with Ndlovu at Khami Maximum Prison in 1967 by the notorious colonial regime.
Moyo played a particularly important role in funding activities of the Southern Rhodesia African National Congress when Father Zimbabwe, as the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo was affectionately known, took over the leadership of the party from Reverend Samkange.
He also helped in funding the travel of the late Nkomo to London for a conference during the struggle.
Moyo's contribution to the struggle was personally acknowledged by Zanu-PF leader President Robert Mugabe when the veteran businessperson and politician celebrated his 100th birthday at the Zimbabwe International Grounds in Bulawayo in 2006.
Mugabe chronicled the types of support that the centurion gave in the fight for the country's independence.
Apart from being a politician, Moyo was a keen football fan, supporting and assisting Highlanders FC from the time it was called Lions FC.
Bulawayo City Council granted Moyo civic honours in 1987 for his contribution to the development of the City of Kings.
Mourners are gathered at the Moyo family residence at 91 Matopos Road in Famona, Bulawayo.
The Ndlovu-led executive had earlier during the week recommended to the ruling party leadership that Moyo be declared a national hero for his contribution to the liberation of the country from colonial bondage.
On Friday, Ndlovu told The Zimbabwe Mail said that had since received a response to their request for Moyo's national hero status.
"We had requested for national hero status for Moyo, but he has been granted liberation hero status and will receive a state assisted funeral," he said. "As arranged, he will be laid to rest at the Lady Stanley Cemetery here in Bulawayo tomorrow(today)."
Moyo's family had already arranged for his burial today at Lady Stanley after a church service at the Bulawayo Amphitheatre.
Apart from being a pioneering indigenous businessperson who had a chain of stores under the name Try Again and a fleet of buses using the same name in Matabeleland, Moyo played a pivotal role in the armed struggle, providing both financial and material assistance.
As a result of his role in the liberation struggle, he was arrested and detained on a number of occasions including his detention with Ndlovu at Khami Maximum Prison in 1967 by the notorious colonial regime.
Moyo played a particularly important role in funding activities of the Southern Rhodesia African National Congress when Father Zimbabwe, as the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo was affectionately known, took over the leadership of the party from Reverend Samkange.
He also helped in funding the travel of the late Nkomo to London for a conference during the struggle.
Moyo's contribution to the struggle was personally acknowledged by Zanu-PF leader President Robert Mugabe when the veteran businessperson and politician celebrated his 100th birthday at the Zimbabwe International Grounds in Bulawayo in 2006.
Mugabe chronicled the types of support that the centurion gave in the fight for the country's independence.
Apart from being a politician, Moyo was a keen football fan, supporting and assisting Highlanders FC from the time it was called Lions FC.
Bulawayo City Council granted Moyo civic honours in 1987 for his contribution to the development of the City of Kings.
Mourners are gathered at the Moyo family residence at 91 Matopos Road in Famona, Bulawayo.
Source - Zim Mail
