THE wife of the former President Canaan Banana, Janet, who died last week, will be laid to rest on Friday in Bembe, Esigodini, next to her husband as per her wish.

Mrs Banana (83) died at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo on Thursday last week where she had been admitted. She had suffered a stroke and was also undergoing dialysis sessions for a kidney problem. President Mnangagwa said she will receive a State assisted funeral.

In an interview yesterday, her sister, Mrs Sanele Ngwenya at their Luveve home, said tentatively, they had slated the burial for Friday.

“The tentative date is Friday and this is because we are waiting for her children from the United Kingdom and sisters too to come down. This is why we have pushed it to Friday. The burial is definitely in Bembe, Esigodini,” she said.

Mrs Ngwenya said she was pained that her sister died during a difficult time.

“Kubuhlungu because she passed on during such a time (Covid-19 era), umhlaba ujikile with this pandemic. We are all trying to ensure we survive and we are practising social distancing, proper masking and sanitising.

Had it not been for Covid-19, ngabe kubomvu lapha ekhaya because she was a staunch Methodist Church in Zimbabwe member. I know the Methodist family is mourning with us,” said Mrs Ngwenya.

She said she was grateful to the support that has been rendered by the Government.

“We are grateful for all those that are with us in mourning on all platforms as that is the new way, we are mourning, online. We know we cannot change it but that is the new normal.

We are grateful for the support we have received so far. We have received tremendous support from Government,” she added.- The Sunday News