Antony Chawagarira
Business leaders, government officials and members of the community gathered in Mutare on Saturday to bid farewell to long-serving Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Eastern Region and Chiredzi manageress Perpetua Guwila, whose death has left the business sector in mourning.
Guwila, who died on Wednesday at the age of 53 after collapsing upon her return from a business trip to China, was laid to rest at Dangamvura Cemetery following a funeral service held at Beithall in Sakubva.
The funeral attracted prominent figures from government and the business community, reflecting the impact Guwila had during more than two decades of service to the country’s business chamber.
Among those who attended were Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Misheck Mugadza, Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development chairperson Gertrude Mutandi, ZNCC Chief Executive Officer Christopher Mugaga and Mutare City Town Clerk Blessing Chafesuka.
Past and present provincial ZNCC leaders, including Tendai Chitowa, Joseph Sanhanga and Charlton Chimbira, were also at the burial alongside members of the Mutare and Chiredzi business communities.
Guwila was a hardworking and dedicated professional who devoted her career to promoting business growth, investment and entrepreneurship in Manicaland and Chiredzi.
During her tenure at ZNCC, Guwila coordinated numerous business conferences, investment forums and awards ceremonies, helping to strengthen relationships between the private sector and government.
Her death is a loss to Zimbabwe’s business community, particularly in Manicaland and Chiredzi where she spent more than 20 years serving as the chamber’s regional manageress.
She is survived by her daughter, Tiffany.
