Mourners from all over the country marched from the Musetha house to the Tshandama graveyard on Saturday, to pay their last respects to community leader Mr Michael Musetha (66).

Musetha passed away last week after a long illness. He is survived by his wife, 13 children, 7 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

A civic member of Matshena, Ms Elisa Ramatsitsi, extended her condolences to the bereaved family. She said the organisation would sorely miss the good working relationship and support they had been receiving from Mr Musetha in terms of developing communities. Ramatsitsi said it would be difficult for the community to replace a man like Musetha, as he was extremely dedicated to his job. Ramatsitsi emphasised that Musetha was a fallen hero who was involved in the battle to develop the community. "He was at the peak of his work and his death is a blow to the communities," she said. She described Musetha as a real torchbearer, who never looked back under any circumstance.

Mr Musetha, a former schoolteacher, was hailed for his involvement in different community projects. He also worked as an administrator at the Ha-Manenzhe and Mutele Tribal offices. All speakers who shared the podium during the ceremony described Musetha as a pioneer, a born leader and a man of vision.

Mr Dzivhuluwani Musetha said the family had suffered a setback after losing one of the pillars who struggled to develop the community without gaining anything.

The late Mr Musetha was the father of Mirror´s correspondent, Ndivhuwo Musetha.