DZ community celebrates the life of Mukukula

Zimpapers Sports Hub

The Dzivarasekwa community have asked for one last request from the Mukukula family, and that is for the body of their former son and hero, Ngoni, to pass through the Harare western suburb’s basketball courts one last time en-route to his final resting place tomorrow.

Mukukula died en-route to a local medical facility on Sunday. He was 52.

A tribute function was held in his honour yesterday at the Dzivarasekwa basketball courts, and one organised by his family.

Mukukula was for several years the heart and soul of Dzivaresekwa Raiderz, one of the seasoned campaigners in the Harare Basketball League.

He was also the face of the popular Hoops for Hops programme.

“DZ (Dzivarasekwa) was near and dear to his heart,” said family spokesperson Faith Sekete.

“This is where he grew up, where he started the “Hoops 4 Hope” foundation, and it only made sense that we host this function and allow them to celebrate his life.

“The function was a resounding success and a true testimony of the love that was shared between coach Ngoni (Mukukula) and his community.

“Residents came in their numbers while representatives from the Sport and Recreation Commission, Harare Basketball Association (HBA), and Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ) were present.

“It was a touching tribute,” she said.

Sekete said Mukukula would be laid to rest tomorrow at Glen Forest Cemetery.

The burial will be preceded by a service that will be held at Nyaradzo Funeral parlour at 3.30pm this afternoon, after which his body is expected to lie in state at his residence in Milton Park.

A church service is scheduled for tomorrow morning at St. Stephens Roman Catholic Church.

“Yes, we have finalised the burial arrangements, with the major highlight being a request from the Dzivarasekwa community for coach Ngoni’s body to pass through the basketball courts one last time,” said Sekete.

“We have pencilled that between the St. Stephen Catholic mass and the burial.

“Coach Ngoni will be buried at Glen Forest Cemetery on Thursday at 2 pm (tomorrow),” she said.