What a send-off

From the moment the iconic Victor Gamedze was gunned down on Sunday 14 January, the wheels were set in motion to give him a proper send-off. For this, the Gamedze family deserves huge credit. Not just them alone but also Gamedze’s beloved Mbabane Swallows, his brainchild Swazi Mobile as well as the entire Swazi nation.

But the family, which suffered the most at this time, deserves even bigger credit for handling this matter with the way they did. From the get go, the Gamedze family understood that their son was more than just another man on the street. He was and will forever remain a national icon. Indeed, it was no surprise to learn that His Majesty King Mswati III wanted a state funeral for the late Premier League of Swaziland (PLS) boss.

It was certainly what he deserved. Coming back to the family, they were straightforward and clear with the nation from the get go with what was a highly sensitive and sad matter. As soon as Gamedze had been confirmed dead at Medi Sun clinic, the family addressed members of the public who had already gathered there and told them that Gamedze was no more. There was no beating around the bush. The following day, on Monday, the family called a press conference and announced the memorial as well as funeral details. Swift. It wasn’t as though they were having it easy- Gamedze’s half-brother, Joseph Souza, broke down in tears as he announced the logistics in front of TV cameras. It wasn’t easy.

The following day, on Tuesday, the family gladly allowed the media to cover as Mbabane Swallows players and officials went to pass on their condolences to Gamedze’s wife, Princes Lungile at their home in Dalriach, Mbabane. It was as though the family understood that keeping the public updated would also help heal a lot of those who had been affected by the beloved Gamedze’s demise. The memorial service on Saturday was a picture of perfect organisation. It was as though they had months to prepare for it. They just had five days.

The night vigil later on in the day and the funeral were even better organised despite the fact that thousands and thousands descended on Ka-Langa to pay their last respects to the fallen ‘Maradona.’ Even during the tense moments at the gravesite, the family allowed the media to be up close and within the site. A touch of class. The Gamedze family, more than anything, understood just how much Gamedze meant to most people in Swaziland. They understood that while he might have been originally theirs, he died belonging to the whole country.

They went even further at the grave-site when, upon consultation with senior Swallows officials including General Manager Sandile ‘Beyond’ Zwane, allowed a section of the club’s fans to pour sand into their late boss’ grave. It was pure class. Those fans will never forget that moment.

Zwane, the only remaining member of the Swallows ‘big 3’ after the previous death of CEO Sibusiso Manana last year, too deserves credit. He had been a total mess when I first saw him after the tragedy on Monday morning at Sigwaca house. 

But on Saturday at the memorial and night vigil and on Sunday at the funeral, he looked much better. He patted every Swallows fan on the back as they went past him to pay their last respects to Gamedze’s, consoling them. He understood their pain. For a moment, he forgot about his own. He was there from the get go, working and ensuring that his late boss’ sending off went the right way. At the night vigil, the classy Swazi Mobile executive Gciniwe Fakudze was there distributing food parcels to mourners. It was nice to see. These people understood that it was all about giving Gamedze a proper sending off.

As those Swallows fans sang “myekeleni aphumule,” an incredibly moving moment, Gamedze was certainly getting the sending of he deserved thanks to those Swallows fans, his family, Swallows officials, his companies and the entire Swazi nation.