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The Herald, August 10, 1981

GRIEVING Zimbabweans gave the veteran ANC official, Mr Joe Gqabi, a moving and sorrowful final farewell when he was buried at the Warren Hills cemetery yesterday morning.

As the strains of “Ishe Komborera Africa” filled the emotion-charged atmosphere, and sent echoes across the hills nearby, the mourners solemnly paid their last respects to the man the Prime Minister, Mr Mugabe, described as a “true revolutionary”.

Joining them at the simple, but dignified state funeral was the ANC leader, Mr Oliver Tambo, the widow of Mr Gqabi, Aurelia, her two children, and senior ANC party executives who had flown in from Lusaka.

Earlier, the mourners who included several cabinet ministers and foreign diplomats, had gathered at the home of Mr Gqabi in Ashdown Park, singing hymns while waiting for Mr Mugabe who joined them shortly after 9.30 am. 

Then the kilometre-long funeral procession snaked its way to the Warren Hills cemetery, where a church service was conducted by two Anglican priests, the Rev Philemon Mudzovera and Rev Phineas Fundira.

During the service, Mrs Gqabi, wearing a traditional black veil over her head, broke down several times and had to be helped to her feet by two women sympathisers.  

Her children — Mike and Nonkululeko — stood solemnly by the graveside, their eyes filled with tears.

The Prime Minister, flanked by Mr Tambo, silently watched the proceedings. Both leaders later delivered emotional eulogies for Mr Gqabi, who was the ANC’s representative in Zimbabwe until his assassination at his home on July 31. 

Then the coffin, draped in the ANC’s gold, green and black flag, and bedecked with flowers, was lowered into the grave as members of the 1st Para Battalion fired three volleys of shots, saluting the fallen hero.  

Army buglers sounded the last Post, signalling an end to Mr Gqabi’s 30-year political career, which saw him detained for 12 years at South Africa’s notorious Robben Island prison.

After the laying of wreaths, Mr Mugabe strode forward to sprinkle the coffin with soil in homage. 

He was followed by Mr Tambo, Cabinet ministers and foreign diplomats, who included representatives of Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, and Angola.

The police band wound up the 80-minute ceremony by playing “Ishe Komborera Afrika”.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

 Zimbabwe is not only a resting place for local fallen heroes, but it also had eminent foreign nationals that were interred here like Mr Joe Gqabi, although his remains were repatriated to South Africa in 2004. 

Like Mozambique and Zambia, Zimbabwe also extended its hand to assist the ANC and PAC of South Africa in their bid to liberate their nation from apartheid rule.

According to a foreign national, a burial with military honours shows the spirit of Ubuntu and the brotherhood that exists between the two nations even today.

Warren Hills cemetery was previously the burial ground for eminent figures and today it is home to the Harare Provincial Heroes Acre.

The State funeral was so important that it was attended by the then ANC president Oliver Tambo, which showed the close links between Zanu-PF and the ANC.