Staff Reporter

Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, General (Retired) Constantino Guveya Chiwenga, has joined President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the rest of the nation in conveying his condolences to the Banana family on their loss of the Former First Lady Mrs Janet Banana.

In his condolence message, VP Chiwenga said, “It is with a deep sense of shock and sorrow that I received the news of the passing on to glory, of Mrs Janet Banana, widow of the founding President, Canaan Sodindo Banana, at Mater Dei Hospital following kidney-related complications.

VP Chiwenga bemoaned the loss of one of the astute women who stood by her husband during the liberation struggle.

“The nation has lost yet another gallant daughter, who stood by her husband during the difficult colonial period and arduous struggle for independence.

Mrs Banana was a pillar of strength, a source of inspiration and family cohesion as a mother and First lady.” VP Chiwenga said.

Encouraging the family to remain strong during this time of bereavement, VP Chiwenga assured them of God’s support, his and that of Government during this very difficult time.

“We stand by, and commiserate with the Banana family in this time of grief and beseech the Almighty to give the family strength in this difficult time,” he said.

Meanwhile the country has lost many women who managed to stand unshakeable by their husbands during the Liberation struggle; some fought alongside their husbands and are buried at the National, Provincial and District Heroes Acre.  At the National Heroes Acre we have heroines such as the Late First Lady Sally Mugabe who was wife of the late former President Robert Mugabe, Ruth Lottie Chinamano wife to Josiah Mushore Chinamano, Maud Muzenda wife to the late Vice President Simon Muzenda and Maria Msika widow of the late Vice President Joseph Msika.