PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has described the late Sydney Gata as “a towering symbol of true patriotism and selfless dedication to Zimbabwe” during his burial at the National Heroes Acre in Harare yesterday.
Gata, who died on July 3 after a short illness, was laid to rest with full State honours, with senior government officials, military leaders and diplomats in attendance.
The 78-year-old energy expert served as executive chairperson of Zesa Holdings and was instrumental in expanding Zimbabwe’s power infrastructure, including the Hwange Power Station and rural electrification projects.
“His work added 600 megawatts to the national grid and established critical regional energy links,” Mnangagwa said.
He emphasised Gata’s role in founding the Southern Africa Power Pool, calling him “a trailblazer whose vision transcended borders”.
Born in Chipinge in 1946, Gata witnessed the brutality of colonialism, which claimed his siblings during Zimbabwe’s liberation war.
Educated in Canada and the United Kingdom, Gata returned home after independence, rejecting overseas opportunities to serve his country.
“He chose to build the Zimbabwe others died for,” Mnangagwa said. He is survived by his wife Angeline and children.
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Mourners included Vice-Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi, Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and war veterans.
