Lands, Land Reforms and Resettlement Minister Herbert Murerwa's mother Ambuya Erina Murerwa who died of heart failure was buried yesterday.

The 94-year old Mbuya Murerwa, who died at the Avenues Clinic on Wednesday, was laid to rest at Maorera Village, in the Chinyika area of Goromonzi district.

Family spokesperson Mr Stanford Zack Murerwa described Mbuya Murerwa as a hard working woman who strived to empower her children through education.

"We have lost a mother who was not just a mother but a hard working woman. She strived for the best for her children and that is why she had a son who is a minister," he said.

He said Mbuya Murerwa was a community leader who dedicated her life to the development of the community.

"Despite having built houses in Harare she decided to come and stay in the rural areas where she founded one of the churches in the area. This alone shows the love she had for this community," he said.

Mr Murerwa said Mbuya Murerwa educated all her children as she believed in hard work.

"Most people only know Dr Murerwa but all of Ambuya Murerwa's children are educated as she believed in empowering her children," he said.

Minister Murerwa said his mother's death was a blow to the family.

He said Mbuya Murerwa instilled discipline among her children and was there for him during hard times.

She was among the founders of the Ruwadzano Pamuchinjikwa sect. Minister Murerwa was baptised in his late mother's church.

Addressing mourners, State Security Minister Sydney Sekeramayi described Mbuya Murerwa as a heroine who played a pivotal role during the liberation struggle as she assisted liberation fighters in many ways.

"Ambuya Murerwa was a mother for all that is why we have people from all corners of the country gathered here. The presence of Government and Zanu-PF officials

shows that she was everyone's mother," he said.

Another family relative, Mr Tensly Rubatika said Mbuya Murerwa was a free woman who attended to everyone's problems without any discrimination.

Among the mourners were Media, Information and Publicity Minister Webster Shamu; Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development Minister Joseph Made, and Women's Affairs, Gender and Community Development Minister Olivia Muchena.

Mbuya Murerwa is survived by six children, 27 grandchildren and 38 great-grand children.