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Writes Stephen Chadenga
“We worked with her, she was a champion woman with a Midas touch.”
The above were the send-off words from Midlands-based miner and businessman Big Tich (Ticha Darangwa) at the funeral of one of Zanu PF’s biggest women empowerment champions, Florence Mbizo nee Mudzengi, who at the time of her demise was MinersforED Vice National Chairperson and founding member.
Big Tich worked along Mai Mudzengi in a territory that many women fear to indulge in.
“Mai Mudzengi was fearless, she had what it takes to be a gold miner, a fit most women would not want to venture into. We salute her and say rest in power mother,” Big Tich said.
As the convoy of cars mostly led by Midlands MinersforED left the Mudzengi residence in the Mutapa suburb to Destiny Memorial cemetery Wednesday it was all tears as people grappled to come to terms with the loss of a mother, a businesswoman, a fearless politician, and philanthropist.
“It’s a sad day for us, we have lost a listening voice, a mother a girl empowered,” said 21 year old Sharleen Moyo from Mutapa.
“Mother (Mai Mudzengi) used to instill economic empowerment in us as ghetto boys, “Moyo added.
According to Big Tich Mai Mudzengi had to face hurdles including mine and land boundaries in her mining career.
“But she remained fearless as a miner,” Big Tich said.
A champion of community empowerment himself, Big Tich and Mai Mudzengi have employed many youths who could have found themselves in the abyss of drug and substance abuse.
“The likes of Big Tich and Mai Mudzengi have empowered us through employment,” 19-year-old Solo who was among mourners at the Mudzengi homestead in Mutapa said.
Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Owen Ncube described Mai Mudzengi as a champion of women empowerment.
“Not only was she an astute Zanu PF member. She was a champion of women empowerment and a believer in the able leadership of His Excellency Cde ED Mnangagwa,” Ncube said.
This reporter had scheduled an interview with Mai Mudzengi a fortnight before her death. The interview never took off after she was taken ill.
After personally losing a mother last February Mai Mudzengi would ask, “Why do you look troubled son? When you lose a mother, other mothers like us will be there for you.”
Unfortunately, l lost another mother. Rest in Perpetual Peace Mom.
