Zimbabwe: General Mujuru's Legacy Lives On

Zimbabwe Vice-President Joice Mujuru with her late husband retired General Solomon Mujuru. General Mujuru died as a result of a fire at his home., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Mujuru legacy lives on

Monday, 09 January 2012 00:00
Zimbabwe Herald Reporter

WORKERS at Ruzambo Farm have vowed to continue maintaining the high farming standards set by the late General Solomon Mujuru.

Gen Mujuru died in an inferno at the farm in Beatrice last year, but management is striving to pursue the late hero's objectives under the leadership of his widow Vice President Joice Mujuru.

Since the untimely departure of General Mujuru, operations at the family's Ruzambo Farm have not stopped.

In most cases, when the owner dies, his businesses dwindle or even collapse but a visit by The Herald to the farm yesterday told a different story.

Fifty hectares of tobacco are almost ready for reaping, up from last season's 40 hectares.

Sixty-eight hectares of the land are under maize. There are 343 beef cattle, 74 sheep and 33 goats.

There is also a game section with animals like giraffes, zebra, elands, bucks, kudus and many others. A farm clerk Mr Oscar Mukombe said tobacco was the main crop and they were expecting a yield of at least three tonnes per hectare.

"Our tobacco is very healthy and if all goes well, we are expecting at least three tonnes of tobacco per hectare. Production is going well despite the death of Cde Mujuru," he said.

"As long as we abide by the farming skills that he taught us we believe we can even raise the standards." Several senior labourers who worked under the guidance of the late General said the lesson left by Cde Mujuru had inspired them to remain focused.

Management at the farm commended Vice President Joice Mujuru for her commitment, which has seen production at the farm increasing with workers welfare being well taken care of.

A supervisor Mr Maxwell Mukwanda said Amai Mujuru was doing well since she took over running the affairs of the farm.

"She took over from where Mudhara (General Mujuru) left and we have not had problems. She is doing well and the only difference we noticed is the change of leadership but in terms of working conditions and production everything is flowing like before," he said.