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Writes Elvis Dumba
Chinhoyi – A memorial service for the late prominent farmer who was the former president of Commercial Farmers Union, Nick Swanepoel, is set for this Friday at his farm.
Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon Marian Chombo visited the late farmer’s family and paid her condolences at his Avalon Farm.
Minister Chombo described the late farmer as a unifier and development-oriented person.
“He was a good person who contributed immensely towards the country’s agriculture and he supported the agrarian land reform program and was instrumental in the signing of the Global Settlement Deed between government and mainly white commercial farmers through Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) for compensation following the land reform program. He always encouraged other farmers to support the government of the day and we will always keep his good works,” she said.
Dave Swanepoel, a son of the late Swanepoel, described his father as a strict and straightforward hardworker
“He was a tough guy and always wanted people to work and he was a straightforward person who always took his family first in everything he did without compromise. All the success at this farm is because of him,” he said.
His grandson Nick Swanepoel Jnr, described his namesake as a tough teacher who always wanted the best.
“He would take me around the farm and taught me various farming activities and he always told me that I should not hire and pay someone for a job that I haven’t done myself. He made me carry out various farm chores like firewood chopping and working in the field,” he said.
Avalon Farm near Chinhoyi has a thriving blueberry plantation which is exported to the United Kingdom, Japan, and China
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to deliver a message at the memorial service of the late Swanepoel, whose body was cremated in South Africa with his remains already brought to his farm.