(TALKZIMBABWE) Tsvangirai's son praises President Mugabe

Tsvangirai's son praises President Mugabe
- TZG/Reuters Reporters
Wed, 11 Mar 2009 03:56:00 +0000

Zimbabwes Prime Minister and main opposition Movement For Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai (L) and his family members attend the church service for his late wife Susan inside the Methodist Church in Harare, March 10, 2009. REUTERS

PRIME MINISTER Morgan Tsvangirai's eldest son has heaped praises on President Robert Mugabe after he delivered a speech at his mother's funeral on Wednesday.

Edwin Tsvangirai delivered a speech at a memorial held for his mother, Mrs Susan Tsvangirai who died in a car accident on Friday.

Addressing thousands of mourners who paid their respects to his mother Tuesday at a Harare stadium, Edwin said “I want to thank his excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe for the kind words that changed my understanding of him."

He also urged his father, Prime Minister Tsvangirai to look ahead to the work of rebuilding Zimbabwe.

"Our path is to grieve and heal, so we can prepare you for taking the nation forward," Edwin said.

President Mugabe told the mourners he was saddened by the death of Mrs Tsvangirai, and that he hoped "Morgan will remain strong".

The president said all Zimbabweans should support prime minister Tsvangirai at this very difficult time.

"“This is a difficult moment for our colleague. He has lost a partner and we must all rally to support him and lessen his burden,” President Mugabe said.

“To our supporters, we want to say violence should stop. That’s what (Mrs) Tsvangirai would have wanted, for us to co-exist peacefully. We have just started a new life after years of fighting each other and insulting each other. We have said let’s give peace and harmony a chance and work together.”

He assured the Tsvangirai family, and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formations, that “we are mourning with you, our hearts are with you”. He went on: “This issue of politics has been affecting our lives and families badly. People don’t know the troubles and dirty wars that we fight.”

Prime Minister Tsvangirai uttered one sentence during the church service: “Let us celebrate her existence as God’s gift to me and us.” Several times during the service, Tsvangirai was unable to restrain his tears.

A Western diplomat was quoted by Reuters news agency saying: “Mugabe’s gesture is remarkable — there really seems to be a sign of genuine sincerity and a willingness to work with the MDC.

- TZG/Reuters