Editor's Review

  • Zimbabwean socialite Genius Ginimbi had planned his funeral months before his death
  • The businessman died on Sunday together with his girlfriend and two other friends
  • He had left his family specific instructions on his funeral

Zimbabwean socialite Genius Ginimbi had planned his funeral months before his tragic death, according to his family.

Juliet Kadungure, his elder sister said Ginimbi had a guest list and dress code issued for his funeral before the accident that claimed four lives.

She said the businessman wanted his funeral to be big and reflect his larger than life personality.

“Genius was a fun-loving character. He always reminded us of how he wanted his funeral to be conducted. In fact, he had a plan and always said ‘‘ndiri big’, so make sure on my funeral, you do not hurriedly bury me. Take time, planning for it. Check my requirements well and one of the things is that I want everyone who will be at my funeral to be dressed in all white, no matter who. Please, make sure you emphasise that remember, I am an all-white guy. The all-white should be on the day of burial’,” Juliet said.

“He would say: ‘make sure you get in touch with my other friends abroad and wait for them to come’... That is why we are saying, for now, the funeral will begin on Thursday, [November 12]... for now, people are gathered at our father’s residence which is 400 metres away from Ginimbi’s mansion. We have set up a tent because there are lots of people coming from all walks of life and we could not accommodate them at the mansion,” she added.

Ginimbi had invited two friends; Limumba Karim from Malawi and Elisha – a Mozambican, to a Saturday night for his girlfriend's party.

“I did not meet the two who were involved in an accident with my brother. “I only heard him saying he was going to Moana's party with friends. The next thing I get a phone call that my brother was involved in an accident. I am still in shock and it is scary. I arrived at the scene and saw the remains of my brother and his friends. I am hurt," she said.