A profound sense of loss settled over Cowdry Park in Bulawayo last Saturday as hundreds gathered at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church to bid farewell to radio presenter Tavita Natasha Mpala.
Mpala, a producer/presenter at the Great Zimbabwe University Campus Radio, collapsed and died while at work recently.
According to her profile on LinkedIn, Mpala produced and presented student driven on and off air programmes such as Campus Connection among others.
Mourners said the 29-year-old left an indelible mark on all who knew her.
The overwhelming grief was a testament to a life lived with extraordinary warmth.
Every speaker who took to the podium remembered Black Pepper, as she was affectionately known, as a humble, polite, and deeply loving individual whose affection was infectious.
“It is impossible to forget her,” said actress Sithandazile Dube, who moved mourners to tears with a poem recited at the graveside.
“For me, it’s worse because she grew up right before my eyes; she is like my own child.
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“I am shattered and completely crushed.”
The emotion deepened when Tavita’s best friend, former NRTV news anchor Virginia Tlou, chronicled their friendship.
Her eulogy painted a touching portrait of a young woman whose heart gave nothing, but love—a sentiment echoed by all.
The demand to honour her was so great that memorial services had to be held concurrently at two separate congregations, St Bernards Catholic Church and Holy Trinity, as both parishes insisted she belonged to them.
The impact of her passing stretched far beyond Bulawayo.
Lecturers, students, colleagues, and friends from Masvingo travelled to her home to pay their last respects.
She was clearly no ordinary person, but one who transcended different circles with grace and humility.
This was evident in the homemade banners plastered on neighbours’ gates, which featured her friendly, warm smile and the poignant caption, “We love you Black Pepper”—a simple yet powerful tribute to a giant presence departed from the community.
Although her life and career were short, they were eventful and unforgettable.
Mpala is survived by her parents and her brothers, Ian and Pasha.
