Vee & Munyaradzi

 

Esther, forever remembered as a mentor and friend. She created time to be there for people - to love and to care.

Beloved Sister

 

Irene Mushonga, Esther's sister. Always caring, kind, helpful and supportive. It took a lot of faith and will power for her to finnaly graduate at Solusi University. I applaude her spririt of diligence and action. May it burn bright.

Esther used to talk a lot about how she would visit her when she was at boarding school and during parent visits. She also stayed with her when she was at primary school. She was always a dear sister.

Special Mothers

 

When Esther left there was an obvious mothering gap in our family. God raised special mothers. Mai Muzvongi is a special mother whom God raised to support us. She has taken initiative to care for Mukundi, do the school runs and be there for her. When Mukundi is in bording School she checks on her.

My prayer is that God will bless her and continue to do her and her family good

Mukundi as Vee's Minibride

 

Esther was Vee's mentor. She diligently supported and help her. She was looking forward to participating at the wedding. Unfortunately when the day came, destiny had other plans. How Esther would have rejoice being at the wedding (and seeing her daughter, Mukundi as minibride!)

The Mystery of Life

 

Prayer for help and guidance. Asking God for strength and grace to continue. Our prayer is that this experience will bring healing and restoration to many. What the devil may have intended for evil will be turned into the good of many.

Ministry of Comfort

 

Elder Jonas Mushosho ministers a word of comfort at the memorial service.

Sihle Testifies and Affirms

 

Sihle Marongwe-Nkosi testifies at the memorial service flanked by Chritina and Lillian. God gives us friends to support and cover us.

Prayer at Memorial Service

 

Prayer at Esther's memorial service held at Waterwhirld in Harare.

Esther is laid to rest

 

Esther is laid to rest at Glen Florest Memorial Park on the 11th of March 2006. Pastor Machiri of Faith Ministries prays as the body is lowered.

First Day at School

10th of January 2006 ... Taking Mukundi for the first day at Bishopslea School. Esther desired so much for Mukundi to be accepted at Bishopslea. It has turned out to have been the perfect choice. The boarding facilities at Bishopslea have helped me cope especially in times when i am away from home for more than two days. Mother's choice is always the best!

Home, Sweet Rusape

5th February 2006 - At home in Rusape under the lovely banana shade. It was a great moment and Esther desired so much that we visit mother in Rusape. Although she was frequently tired she felt very refreshed by the journey. It was a great joy and a moment of bonding. What would we have done differently on this day if we knew that these where truly her last days?

Breastfeeding at Home

Esther relaxes at home as she breast feeds Munangi. This was Sunday the 26th of February 2006. With her is a long time family friend, Sihle Marongwe holding Zoe Nziradzemhuka. It is all amazing how time passes and memories linger large and strong.

Finally we go home

Esther goes home on the 24th of February after giving birth to Munangi. It was a joyous day. Mukundi was so sleepy. She was having a cold and had just taken some cough mixture. I had collected her from school and went with her to Avenues Clinic.

In the Kitchen for a Snack

9th February 2006, Esther in the kitchen grabbing a snack. This was exactly a month before she passed away. It is shocking at times to think that she is no longer here, so soon and so sudden.

We all desire a long life. We all hope for a lifetime of marriage. Today when I see a couple together I just thank God for his grace. I also wished for a lifetime with Esther. Today I thank God and treasurer all the moments that we had together. I now realise that every moment we shared was special and it had its unique signature.

The Last Days

Esther's last few days. Here she is in intensive care at Avenues Clinic. I kept thinking that she would recover and this photo would be a testimony. After nine days in intensive care she went to be with the Lord. I miss her, a lot and sometimes it is so painful.

She was a blessing and her sweet spirit will always be a rich and tender memory that I will treasure. I wish she could come back to life even if it is for a short while. I wish she could she Munangi run around the house. She was thrilled at the thought of having a son and always wished that he could look like me.

The Uganda Family

16th June 2007 - Milton Kamwendo after speaking at the Makerere Full Gospel Church, Uganda, pastored by Rev. Fred Wantante. From left Joice, Robert, Milton, Pastor Fred, Elton and Dube.

A Family Affair

From left, Mbuya Sigauke, Irene Mushonga, Mukundi and Margaret Garwe. Both are Esther's Sisters. Mai Mushonga had a special place in Esther's heart. Esther once stayed with her when she was in Primary School. She would visit Esther when she was now in Secondary School and bring her some goodies.

Mai Garwe is a special lady. Always there, always loyal and faithful. She has the heart of a pastor, the fortitude of a lioness and amazing generosity. She was given the role of sarapavana.

Sister and Friend

Florence Sigauke, Esther's sister. They walked the journey of life together and she was always a support. She hoped that Esther would go to University and she bought Esther a radio/wake-up clock when she was in Australia. She lived together with Esther at Kipford Court and I used to visit them so often. Kipford Court has many, many memories. When one thinks of Kipford the names that come to mind are Ellen, today a pastor's wife (who could have imagined), Scholar, Annah and Julie, who would have guessed what would happen and where we would all be.

Mentor Support

Peter and Doreen Mukwena our mentors. They helped us and supported in on our relationship. Their home in Hatfield was always open to us. Doreen taught Esther many things that shaped and moulded her into the woman that she became. Over the years the Mukwena has continued to be mentors, and close family friends.

They serve as elders within the Family of God Church.

Friendships That Last

Christina Nziradzemuka, Esther's friend. They first met in Bulawayo in 1992, when they were both at Bulawayo Polytechnic. Subsequently I met Christina's boyfriend, Chester and we became friends. In 1996 Christina & Chester got married. Esther was the best lady and I was the best man.

Esther and Christina fought in the spirit together. They would pray and fast together. In Church they served together. They shared many things. As family friends we shared many happy moments.

When we rushed Esther hospital on the 28th of February 2006 she was there. As Esther was struggling to breathe, she is the one who went to look for milk formula for the Munangi and prepared it. She is the one who took Munangi home when Esther was admitted. She is the one who helped put some order for the baby and to train the maids we had, Joice and Esther.

When Esther passed away she was there. Munangi stayed at her home for about two weeks after the funeral before coming back home. When Mai Mercy, Munangi's nurse joined us she trained and coached her.

She has been a true friend and surrogate mother to Mukundi and Munangi. Together with Chester, her husband they have helped me walk through the bearevement journey. Christina has been a living example of a true and faithful friend, one that sticks closer than a brother. May she be blessed and may God reward her for the sake of Esther.

The Legacy

Sekuru Lovemore Chinyadza Esther's Uncle. Here is a man who is always there. He is the man who always wants to get things in order. Without Sekuru nothing was done. When I married Esther he was there. When we wedded he was there. When Esther passed away he was there. He had to be there. He is a fair and forthright man. For him everything has to explicit. Issues must be tackled head on. Nothing that concerns Mbuya Sigauke can take place without Sekuru.

After we got married he came to see us and said: "Ndauya kuzosiira Esther, muzukuru wangu hope!" That always gave us a good laugh and we always used to muse about it in appreciation.

The people that shape your life

Cde. Raymond Garwe, Esther's brother in law who married Esther's sister, Margaret. He literally looked after Esther as his own daughter. As a brother to me he has always been supportive and loyal. He is a man of his principles, beliefs and persuasions. He always has exciting stories to share life, education, the struggle and family. He has seen a good bit of life in Mozambique, England and in Zimbabwe. He has remained a true supporter and patriot of his soccer team and his political party.

Another Elevation

This is the front entrance to Esther's home. This is where she used to park her car, an Isuzu KB320 when she was working for Suncrest as Marketing as Sales Manager. Esther took her driver's license in 2001 after a long struggle. The day she got is was a great joy, with Mbuya Sigauke shedding tears of joy. She started by driving the Toyota Corrolla Station Wagon which we gave to Pastor Gakanje. Later she drove the Mazda SDX double cab that I had.

When she worked for Homage in 2002 she would drive the Mazda SDX. When she left Homage and joined Cairns in 2002 she was given a white Ford Bantam. Whe she left Cairns in 2004 to join Suncrest she was given a Mistubishi sedan. She loved this car. In 2005 she was promoted to Marketing and Sales Manager and was given the Isuzu KB320. The car drove so well and it was great driving it.

We tried to do as many things together as possible. We used to drive together and in the weekends we would use one car. I miss those long cheerful drives. Some of which were filled with so much adventure.

Home is no longer the same

Esther's family home in Harare. Together we believed God for this home in the year 2000. We moved into this house from Msasa Park on the 30th of July 2000. Furnishing it was a challenge. We paid up the mortgage bond on 2003. When we moved into the house, Mukundi was 6 months old. Munangi was to be born in 2006 while we were still at this house.

Many memories were created at this house. We received and hosted many people. We counselled many young people. Our home was an open place for many to walk in. Without Esther now the home is no longer the same. She brought warmth, beauty and a special touch.

Without Mother

Esther was a great wife and a caring mother. She had a special place that still remains in her family. Milton Kamwendo had found in her a loving wife, confidante, partner and faithful friend. Mukundi had a great mum who cared so much and desired the best. Esther rejoiced and was overjoyed at the thought of having a son. She would wish and pray for him to be like his dad. She sought for the priviledge to hold him dear and close, to nurse him and breakfeed him. She anticipated the many joys of playing and seeing a son grow.

Well, it was not to be. Today we still feel the pain and void of her departure. She will forever be remembered as a mother - loving, dear, strong and true. We wish she was here to share the many moments we encounter each day.

Precious Mother

On the 18th of July 1971, Anna-Mercy Sigauke Qayangubani gave birth to a beautiful bouncing baby, Esther Kuziwa. She would take her to Church and to the early morning prayers at Tsanzaguru United Methodist Church. Esther, being the last born was beloved and dear. She loved and cared for her mum to the last day.

We salute the resolute spirit in Mbuya Sigauke. Her faith is truly legendary. Esther used to recount countless times how she would sow seeds and offer specific prayers for each of her children. As a family whenever we had challenges we used to phone her and ask her to help us pray through.