BINGA, Apr.9, (NewsDayLive) - The Binga community on Wednesday laid to rest one of its renowned poets, Mateyo Munkuli, who was popularly known as WabaMbeta.
WabaMbeta was laid to rest in the Kabiyu-kenzuki area with family, friends, and admirers describing him as a humble father and poet who had the community at heart.
Born in Binga on August 24, 1977, WabaMbeta died on Monday night, after a short illness.
He leaves behind his wife, Rebecca Mumpande, and four children, three girls, and one boy.
The late poet started his career in 2000 and was known for his significant contributions to the growth of Tonga education in Binga.
Through his poems, which touched on various issues including culture and social life, WabaMbeta made a lasting impact on the community. "WabaMbeta was a hardworking and passionate poet who had a great vision about the Tonga people and the whole of Zimbabwe," said local pastor and chairperson of the Tonga Language and Cultural Committee (Tolacco) Jeffrey Muleya.
"This is a great loss. WabaMbeta had a talent of his own that has been cut short. We are saddened by his death and we lay him to rest, may his soul rest in peace."WabaMbeta's brother and fellow poet Aleck Nchite Munkuli described the deceased as a legend in the arts industry:
"We have lost a legend in the art industry,” he said.
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“ The talent that was in him was out of this world. He died at a time when we still needed him the most. He passed at an early stage before he blossomed to his fullest. He was the mouthpiece of BuTonga."Some of WabaMbeta's notable poems include Kubweenzu, Amundileke ngambe, Nkubuzya biya, BaneSaba, and Mweenzu usiyanchisisi.
At the time of his passing, he had been working on a drama project called "Buzulizi bwezibboonda" (Leadership of Vagabonds), which will be completed as a tribute to his memory.
