Big send-off for Manica Junior PA

BIG funeral send-offs have become a custom in Mutare and many still remember long convoys that characterised the funerals of the late Blessing "Yogo-Yogo" Makunike in 2004 and diamond kingpin, Bothwell "Sir Bathez" Hlahla in 2011.

Manica Post reported that on Monday, the city witnessed a special send-off for Mutare Boys' High School student and Manicaland Junior Parliament Provincial Administrator, Brandon Mareya.Although there were no long convoys, it was the eye-catching farewell by the students that will remain etched in the minds of many.

Mareya, who had just turned 19 years in March, passed on Friday afternoon at his family home in Sakubva after succumbing to migraine headache.

Scores of students swarmed the Yeovil Cemetery to pay respects to the young man.

It was a sombre sight as the students turned pallbearers and carried their colleague's casket, singing the school song in his honour.

During the burial service, the school's prefects led the rest in a thunderous school war cry, traditionally performed on special occasions at the institution.

Government officials among them the Provincial Administrator, Fungai Mbetsa and the Ministry of Youth Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Manicaland provincial head,  Theressa Mupanduki were part of the people that paid their last respects.

 Mupanduki, who is the patron of the provincial Junior Parliament, said the nation had lost a promising leader.

"His dedication towards serving others in the Junior Parliament was very remarkable. We grew to admire him as a humble young man who definitely had a bright future. He was also our first PA in the provincial Junior Council after creating the post last year. We will forever honour his decisive role since he started his term last year in June," said  Mupanduki.

Mbetsa said it was sad to lose patriotic youngsters like Mareya.

He said he always admired his conduct as a junior PA. He urged other youths to emulate Mareya and make use of their time on earth resourcefully to make a difference in their communities.

The Junior Parliament Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Timothy Chimwaza from Mutare Boys' High said Mareya had left a void that would be hard to fill.

"In our campaigns as Junior Parliament on ending child marriages, Mareya was very instrumental. He has left a void that will be hard to fill," said Chimwaza.

Mutare Boys' High school head,Tendai Gwashu, said the nation had lost a future engineer.

"He was a brilliant Technical Graphics, Mathematics and Physics student. He said he wanted to do aviation, but because of his visual problems from migraine headaches he aspired to become an engineer. He was a true Mutare Boys' High ambassador and a well respected prefect," he said.