HARARE – The widow of the late Zimbabwean football legend George Shaya, Agnes, has broken her silence, revealing that a promise made by then Sports Minister, Kirsty Coventry, for a state assisted funeral for her husband was never fulfilled.
According to Agnes aka Amai Shaya, the commitment was allegedly made by Coventry when she visited Shaya’s home to offer her condolences.
In the interview, Amai Shaya said Coventry informed her the government offered a state assisted funeral for the burial of her husband who died on August 24, 2021, at the age of 77 after a prolonged illness.
Besides that, Amai Shaya also revealed Coventry said she was awaiting the president’s response regarding whether George would be declared a national hero.
In an emotional interview with journalist Yvonne Mangunda on her online show The Sportlight with Yvonne, Amai Shaya shared the painful experiences she endured following the death of her husband, including a pledge that a state assisted funeral would be provided.
“Pakauya Minister Kirsty Coventry kuzobata maoko, vakataura zvinhu zviviri. Chekutanga, vakati vakamirira kunzwa kubva kuna President kuti George angaenda kuHeroes Acre here, pamwe chete ne state assisted funeral,” she said.
(“When Minister Kirsty Coventry came to pay her respects, she mentioned two things. First, she said government would provide state assisted funeral and also that she was waiting for the President’s response on whether George would be laid to rest at the National Heroes Acre.”)
She added: “Asi nanhasi hapana zvakazoitwa, ndikangonyararawo hangu.” (“Nothing was done and I have just remained silent up to now.”)
Nicknamed the Master Mind, George was a revered figure in Zimbabwean football, with a record five Soccer Star of the Year accolades to his name.
It’s unfortunate that, the Dynamos legend was honored more after his death than during his lifetime.
Following his passing, George’s widow received a house worth thousands of dollars in Madokero Estates, a donation from Sakunda Holdings, owned by business tycoon Kuda Tagwirei.
While grateful for the gesture, Mai Shaya emotionally shared that she wished her husband had lived to spend even a single night in the beautifully furnished home.
Breaking down during the interview, she also lamented the lack of support from Dynamos, the club her husband loyally served for many years, saying he had been largely neglected in his final years.
For Amai Shaya, the unfulfilled promise of a state assisted funeral remains a painful reminder of what could have been a more dignified farewell for her husband.
George is widely regarded as one of Zimbabwe’s greatest football icons of all time.
