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Garikai Muchemwa
The name Rosemary Kona is not known by many people in Zimbabwe.

However, for those who have worked and interacted with HIV and Aids Programmes funded by the Global Fund, this name is so familiar and had become synonymous with the Global Fund itself.

I got to know Rosemary when I worked directly under her supervision within the Global Fund Unit. Rosemary worked tirelessly for Zimbabwe as the Global Fund Coordinator for the HIV and Aids grants.

I was so amazed by the way she did her work with zeal and passion and was willing to go an extra mile to contribute towards the fight against HIV and Aids in Zimbabwe.

Rosemary travelled extensively in all the provinces and districts of Zimbabwe including those that are in the periphery and usually marginalised by most development partners.

Unfortunately on July 29, 2015, I woke up to the sad news that Rosemary Kona was involved in a terrible road traffic accident on her way to a meeting in Mutare and she died on the spot.

This was devastating news not only to me but to all those who have been close to her. I started receiving messages on the phone while other people were still in disbelief and sought confirmation from me if the news was indeed true.

I replied to some of the many messages that I received while I could not to some. I confirmed to them that indeed Rosemary was no more. I cried, cried and cried for I knew a hero had gone.

Zimbabwe has lost a dedicated cadre who contributed immensely to the fight against HIV and Aids.

It is painful that the cruel hands of death snatched her away while she was on duty.

I worked closely with Rosemary under her supervision for just nine months but even after leaving her organisation we continued to interact closely. Despite working together for a very short period Rosemary and I developed a very close relationship of a mother and son.

To me she became my boss, mother, counsellor and teacher. In the process of working with her my family became hers while her family became mine.

The most painful thing is that I met her a week ago at a meeting in Kwekwe and as mother and son we were so excited by the reunion.

Rosemary told me how much she was looking forward to her UK trip set for the first week of August to visit her family. Rosemary jokingly said to me, “son this time I’m going to the UK forever. I’m now tired and need some rest.”

I did not take that seriously because that is what she always said to me every time she embarked on such trips. Little did I know that indeed she would be gone forever, not to the UK this time but to a place that we are not able to see and talk to her. To think that this was the same Rosemary I was with in Kwekwe barely a week ago is unbelievable.

What further pains me is that just three weeks ago her son got married. I vividly remember when we met in Kwekwe that she was so excited at finally being a mother-in-law. I know how sweet a mother-in law you were going to be to your malukazana. Unfortunately you have been snatched away so soon mother.

I know God always takes the best. I am comforted by the fact that you knew God and spent the last few months of your life working on your relationship with Him.

The message on the profile picture of your WhatsApp tells it all. It reads thus “Christian Under Construction, God’s not done with me yet”.

I am totally convinced now that God snatched you from our midst because he had finally finished with the construction of a devoted Christian in your person. I want to thank you mother, for you taught me to be humble and I learnt a lot of good things from you.

I will definitely miss the jokes we used to share, the professional and social guidance and of course the trips to Food Lovers where you would buy us food without being bothered with the money you spent on us.

Till we meet again rest in peace Rosemary Kona nee Nyathi.