03/09/2026
There are moments when words fail us, when the pain of loss is so deep that even silence cannot fully express what the heart is carrying. The tragedies that struck Kariba and Chivhu have brought our nation to such a moment, leaving behind grieving families, shattered communities and an emptiness that cannot easily be filled.
In both places, lives were suddenly and tragically cut short, leaving families to confront the unbearable reality of saying goodbye to people who were part of their everyday lives. Behind every life lost was a story, a family, a friendship, a home filled with memories, dreams and hopes for tomorrow. For those left behind, the pain does not end when the news is received. It follows them into the quiet moments, into the empty spaces at home and into the days when they must learn to live with an absence they never expected.
Kariba and Chivhu may be different places, but the grief that now connects them is one that transcends geography. It is the grief of a mother who has lost a child, a parent mourning a son or daughter, children facing life without a parent, and families trying to find strength when their hearts are simply broken.
At times such as these, we are reminded of what it truly means to be Sahwira. It is not only about standing beside people in moments of celebration, but about being present when life becomes difficult to understand. It is about showing up when there are no words, offering comfort when there are no answers and lending a shoulder when the weight of grief becomes too heavy for one person to carry.
Because grief should never be carried alone.
When tragedy strikes one family, the wider community becomes a family too. We come together to pray, to comfort, to remember and, where possible, to carry some of the burden for those who are hurting. We cannot undo what has happened, nor can we replace the precious lives that have been lost, but we can ensure that those who remain do not have to walk through their darkest days alone.
As we mourn the lives lost in Kariba and Chivhu, we extend our deepest and most sincere condolences to every bereaved family, relative, friend, colleague and community affected by these tragedies. We mourn with the parents whose homes have been changed forever, with the children whose futures now carry an unimaginable absence, and with everyone struggling to come to terms with a loss that no family should ever have to endure.
In the midst of the sorrow, may the memories of those who departed become a source of comfort. May the love they shared, the lives they touched and the moments they gave to those around them remain forever cherished. And may those who are grieving find strength in the knowledge that they are surrounded by people who care, people who will stand beside them and people willing to help carry the burden when it becomes too heavy.
Kariba and Chivhu have reminded us, painfully, of how fragile life can be and how quickly everything can change. But they have also reminded us of something equally powerful — that in our darkest moments, we can choose to stand together.
To every family grieving after the Kariba and Chivhu tragedies, we see your pain, we share your sorrow and we stand with you. Your loss is felt far beyond your homes and communities. As one nation, we mourn the precious lives that have been taken from us, and as Sahwira, we remain committed to walking alongside those left behind.
May God grant every bereaved family the strength to face each new day, the comfort to endure the pain and the peace that comes with knowing that their loved ones will never be forgotten.
