By Staff Reporter
THE late ZESA Holdings Executive Chairman Sydney Gata has been conferred national hero status.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Ambassador Raphael Faranisi confirmed the latest development to State media.
Gata (79), who became the first black general manager of the power utility post-independence, died at a Harare hospital on Thursday after a reportedly complaining of chest pains.
He is set to be laid to rest at the National Heroes Acre this Wednesday.
In his eulogy, President Emmerson Mnangagwa described Gata as a dedicated engineer, who worked tirelessly to find the country’s energy solutions and spearheaded infrastructural development.
“…Gata was a visionary leader in the energy sector. His dedication to public service and development of critical infrastructure deserves national recognition. We have lost a committed patriot,” said Mnangagwa.