Hundreds of people from all walks of life convened at Morningside, Masvingo, yesterday afternoon to pay their final respects to local Afro-pop singer Garikai Munashe Mapanzure, affectionately known as ‘Garry’.
Mapanzure died last week on Friday after sustaining injuries from a road traffic accident along the Beitbridge-Masvingo Highway.
He was 25. The late musician was buried at Loan Cemetery in Masvingo, which saw fellow artistes, business personalities, school children, friends, family and fans in attendance.
The funeral was live-streamed on E and T’s social media page for those who could not make it to Masvingo. It was heart-wrenching to see Garry’s mother, identified as Mai Guvheya, with grief-stricken eyes viewing her son’s body in a casket for the last time.
She started singing parts of her son’s song, “Pindirai” as she asked God to intervene in this difficult time. “As a mother, allow me to speak a few words about my son. My husband already said what transpired of which I can’t go back to that,” she said emotionally. “It is a difficult and sad time. Garikai, I am very surprised that at such an age, 25 years, we have seen many people coming to pay their last respects. His music was uplifting to everyone.
“I could have said a lot but I want to thank the Lord for giving me the gift of a son who was loved by many. May God intervene.”
She said she had hopes for her son, but his death was God’s case.
“My question goes to God as to why? When we birthed him we didn’t know he had so many friends. I fear God and I thank him, as because of Garikai’s talent, everyone benefited, including myself,” she said.
“I am happy to where he is gone too. We may fail to understand it, but it was planned by God. He left me a grandson Thomas TJ. Thank you to Vimbai (Garry’s widow).”
The ceremony saw other family members and friends presenting their eulogies.
Kyle College Choir paid their tribute as they presented a song dedicated to the late musician.
Herald
