Today was an
incredible day. Zimbabweans came to mourn a beloved
son, and were impressed by all the outpourings from
around the world. Praveen Jha's tribute had a beautiful
Pablo Neruda poem in his tribute which was read
as the burial service as was Shivji's poem to Sam.
Also read was Madam Zuma's letter. Mourners came
from far and near and included members of government
in Zimbabwe and South Africa. The academics present
were asked to be pallbearers, so we all went and
carried Sam's coffin to the hearse. There was a
lot of high emotion at different points., but the
most difficult was when Quondisile spoke so movingly
about her father's love for his daughters.The music
was sublime and very comforting.
After the service, we drove to Glen forest, a new
private cemetary to bury Sam. Those who wanted to
invited to put a single white rose in the grave.
We then went back to the house for lunch and then
we left after 2pm. There was a CODESRIA delegation
of eight- myself, the current Executive Secretary,
two former executive secretaries, one executive
committee member and one former executive committee
member, one staff member and a former staff member.
Now we have laid Sam to rest, may the healing process
begin and may we begin to work in different ways
to be true to his legacy.
November 30, 2015.
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