Thousands pay their last respects to Rahman
MULTITUDES of people from Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa yesterday gathered at Bulawayo’s Lady Stanley Cemetery to pay their last respects to Rahman Gumbo as he was finally laid to rest.
The City of Bulawayo was submerged with black and white colours as hundreds of people converged at the Amphitheatre where a funeral service was held.
Those in attendance included the city’s football luminaries, who include Barry Daka, Tymon Mabaleka, Ernest Sibanda, Willard “Mashinkila” Khumalo and Adam Ndlovu.
The funeral procession paraded through the streets of Bulawayo’s central business district and the high-density suburbs of Njube, Luveve, Mpopoma, Iminyela, Mzilikazi and Nguboyenja.
“Rahman really loved me,” said the late footballer’s widow, Virginia, who was flanked by her sons — Norman and Nkosana — as she addressed the gathering.
(pictured),
“He liberated me to serve and worship God.
“Rahman and I were more than lovers; he was my friend who always found time to check on me.
“Today (yesterday) is his birthday, which he will celebrate on the other side of life,” she said.
In a brief sermon, Virginia, an ordained pastor, challenged everyone, especially men, to turn to God, as all the earthly riches and fame are bound to disappear.
The late Gumbo’s other son, Bukhosi, said the celebrated former Bosso and Eagles utility player had given them great football life lessons.
“I learnt a great deal from my dad; he was a great man and a legend, who was called by many names, like Maestro, Genius and Goal Poacher.
“However, to me, he was just dad.
“He meant a lot to many people in Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa and Malawi, and I want to thank everyone who came here to support us.
“I pray that his legacy lives on,” he said. Highlanders representative Elkanah Dube, who is a board member at the club, said they were grateful to the Government for granting the late Gumbo a State-assisted funeral.
“Deepest condolences to the Gumbo and Sibanda families and to Sister Virginia.
“Rahman’s CV stands proud. He has earned this honour from the Government and, as Highlanders, we are grateful for the recognition.
“Rahman donned the black-and-white strip and he left a mark.
“He was a gifted player who had style, grace and made everything look easy on the pitch.
“He was agile and a smart player,” said Dube.
“Rahman won league titles as a player and as a coach, a feat that will be remembered by many. “He also went on to nurture great Highlanders players that include Zenzo Moyo, Bekithemba Ndlovu, Gift Lunga (Jnr), Thulani Biya Ncube, Siza Khoza, Melusi Sibanda, Noel Kaseke, Dazzy Kapenya and Johannes Ngodzo.
“All these players were inspired by Rahman to venture into coaching and football administration,” added Dube. Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairperson Farai Jere attended the funeral. “We are gathered here, not at Barbourfields
Stadium, watching Rahman Gumbo doing his thing.
“It’s not at National Sports Stadium where we watched him destroy South Africa.
“We will miss what Rahman used to do; he is a true legend.
“Rahman served with distinction, he was a soldier and he will never die, for legends don’t die.
“He has disappeared but his legacy will live on,” said Jere, amid revelations that the CAPS United legends had donated US$750 to the Gumbo family.
Also present at the funeral were Botswana’s Morupule Wanderers Football Club executive members and some of the players.
The Botswana outfit also handed the late Gumbo’s wife a signed Morupule Wanderers jersey on a day the Zimbabwe Football Association Normalisation
Committee member Rosemary Mugadza took some time to read a letter written by FIFA in recognition of the late Gumbo’s great football work.
“Words seem inadequate to express our shock. He will be remembered for his career at Highlanders. He will be truly missed,” wrote FIFA.
Gumbo had coaching stints in Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa and Malawi.
It was in Botswana that he dribbled into the hearts of many.
In the neighbouring country, he coached five clubs that included Gaborone United, Township Rollers, Sua Flamingoes and Morupule Wanderers.
His last coaching job was at Morupule Wanderers.
Right on his 60th birthday, the sun set for the Dream Team star.
Gumbo was buried in a true spirit of giving a legend a befitting send-off.
In colours of his former club Bosso, his black-and-white casket was then lowered as the programme ended.