Times Of Swaziland: VICTOR’S RIGHT-HAND MAN PROSPER DIES

VICTOR’S RIGHT-HAND MAN PROSPER DIES
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BY MBONGISENI NDZIMANDZE on 12/09/2019 00:35:00


MBABANE - The man who played a pivotal role in the establishment of the late
Victor Gamedze’s business empire is no more.
Prosper Mpofu Takawira, who used to be Gamedze’s right-hand man, succumbed to
cancer while being treated at the Mbabane Clinic on Tuesday.
When he met his death, he had been admitted to the clinic for a week.
The well-known jazz fanatic died at the age of 68, having been born on October
1, 1951.
The death of the Zimbabwean national comes exactly 20 months after the death of
Gamedze.
Gamedze was shot dead on January 14, 2018 at the Galp Filling Station in
Ezulwini.
Confidante
To Gamedze, Takawira was a confidant as during the former’s lifetime, he
(Takawira) was always by his side, especially during business meetings.
After Gamedze’s death, Takawira and Princess Lungile carried the mantle in the
business as they were the ones who made sure that it was up and running.
He was involved in the establishment of Eswatini Mobile, MV Tel, Etop Up and Top
Lotto, which were Gamedze’s brainchild.
Takawira, who was an engineer by profession, having studied in the United States
of America, was the project manager during the construction of Madlenya
Building, which now houses Eswatini Mobile and other businesses.
According to Gamedze’s wife, Princess Lungile, Takawira was also instrumental
in the construction of most immovable properties that are owned by the Gamedze
family.
She further highlighted that Takawira was there during the inception of MV tel.
Takawira joined MV Tel in 2003 after having been introduced to the Gamedze
family by Paul Mulindwa, who was the auditor for the late businessman’s
companies.
“He was an integral part of the company and Gamedze heavily relied on him due
to his vast experience.  Prosper spent many years in the United States of
America and Denmark,” said the princess.
Princess Lungile said Takawira came in very handy as while he was involved in
the construction of the Madlenya Building, he was also fully involved in the
dynamics of MV Tel. She stated that Takawira was the cornerstone of Gamedze’s
business empire and his death was a major blow.
“It is a great loss as people of Prosper’s calibre are a rare breed.  Angati
kutsi ngitophindze ngimtfolephi umuftu lofana nalo,” said Gamedze’s wife.
She then sent her condolences to his family, wife, friends, jazz fanatics,
siblings, the country, business associates and his relatives.
“I will always be grateful to Paul Mulindwa who introduced Prosper to Gamedze.
 I am still trying to come to terms with his death as it has happened 20 months
after the death of my husband,” said the princess.
Shattered
The princess said she was still shattered by Takawira’s death and was still
failing to come to terms with it. She further highlighted that she treated
Prosper as part of the Gamedze family.
In a statement, the management of MV Tel said it was also still trying to come
to terms with the death of Takawire. “With regret, the management and staff of
MV Tel wishes to inform all that Prosper (Mpofu), responded to the Lord’s call
on Tuesday, September 10, 2019,” reads part of the statement issued by the
management of MV Tel yesterday.
The management and staff further stated that, although they would miss him
greatly, they rejoiced in his triumphant return to the Heavenly Father.
According to the statement, there will be a memorial service tomorrow at Mananga
Centre, Ezulwini starting at 2:30pm.
On the same day, there will be a celebration of his life at the Eswatini Theatre
Club in Mbabane. The celebration will start at 7pm. Takawira was recently
appointed Vice Chairperson of the Eswatini Theatre Club. He was hands on in the
arts sector by virtue of owning the Jazz Gallery in collaboration with Nelisa
Lawton. He was very passionate about the Theatre Club and the arts in general.
Saddened
Meanwhile, Mulindwa said he was also saddened by the death of Takawira who was
his close friend.  He said from 1996, Takawira worked with him as a consultant.
“In 2003, Victor Gamedze asked me to recruit an engineer for him and I
recommended Prosper who was a qualified electronics engineer,” said Mulindwa.
Some of the people who worked closely with Takawira described him as a down to
earth man who was willing to impart his knowledge to others.
“When he was not at work he was busy with arts. Prosper was also dedicated to
his work,” said one of his colleagues, who preferred to remain anonymous.
He further stated that Takawira always encouraged them to put education first
and to always dedicate themselves in their work. One of his colleagues said:
“He was an asset to the company and we always consulted him every time we
encountered challenges at work. He was a straight forward man.”