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President Mugabe addresses mourners at the funeral of Mr Maxwell Chadoka in Mandara, Harare, yesterday while the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe (right) and the deceased’s widow Mrs Candida Chadoka (left) listen.

Herald Reporter
President Mugabe last night consoled the Chadoka family following the death of Mr Maxwell Chadoka yesterday morning. Mr Chadoka (73), who was the Zimbabwe Consul General to Mozambique, succumbed to kidney problems at Parirenyatwa Hospital. Addressing mourners at the funeral, President Mugabe hailed the contributions made by Mr Chadoka in the liberation struggle, adding that he was present during the Lancaster House negotiations in 1979.

“With our love for defending our country, it came a time when the British surrendered and said it was high time we negotiated,” he said. “We were invited to Lancaster and we saw Mr Chadoka coming from the People’s Movement, which always supported our party during the struggle. “We want to thank him for working for the country. While we were out of the country, the People’s Movement supported us until we met them at Lancaster and became one.” President Mugabe said after the Lancaster House conference, Mr Chadoka, together with his wife Candida, decided to stay behind furthering their education.

“We left him behind studying. After finishing their studies, together with my sister Candida, we were with them after independence,” he said.
“Tanga tichifambidzana zvikurukuru navo uye tanga tiri tese muchurch umu.”

President Mugabe said Mr Chadoka was assigned to Mozambique where he became consul general. “He used to complain saying I fought in the war and went to Lancaster House, and I also need a job,” President Mugabe said. “We assigned him to Mozambique.

“We had not recalled him the way we are doing others, but he got ill. He died while still in service.” President Mugabe said Mr Chadoka’s wife, Candida, should find solace in that the nation was mourning with them.

“Candida, ungati Mwari haana kundinzwa asi hatisi vene venguva, zvichireva kuti nyama dzatakatakura mutoro chete. Hausi wedu. Musi watinonzi turai, musi wacho hatiuzive,” he said.

“Hatingarambe kuti hatidi. Ndinogona kuti hanzu yandakapfeka iyi handidi kukupa ndikatokupa shoes chete asi nyama yanzi ndaida nemuridzi wayo, huya, tese tinoti rapata. Hazvirambwe.”

“When we went to see him in hospital it was painful. Itsvo dzikadzamara dzatonhora, dzatonhora. These machines are only there to clean the blood the way it is done by kidneys. Hazvizofanana nekuti muchina unoita zvishomawo. Hapana anokwanisa kutora makore gumi achingogaiwa nemuchina. Muviri unonetawo sezvakaita wava Chadoka.”
President Mugabe urged the family to look up to God for solutions.

“Our mothers taught us to pray,” he said. “No matter what, you have to pray on daily basis. I am always with my rosary and you pray to God to give you the power to go on and on.” Mr Chadoka is survived by his wife Candida and three children.
Burial arrangements will be announced in due course.