The late Captain Calvin Tafirei Soda/ZBCCaptain Calvin Tafirei Soda, the pilot who died in the helicopter crash that claimed businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife Lucy, will be laid to rest in Marondera on Sunday, October 4, as family, friends and colleagues remember him as a unifying figure and dedicated aviator.
Soda's funeral wake is underway at his family home in Philadelphia, Harare, Zimbabwe, where mourners have gathered to pay their final respects to the pilot ahead of his burial.
Those who knew him described him as a hardworking family man whose commitment to aviation was matched by his ability to bring people together.
“He was a unifier, a hard worker, a family man and a dedicated aviator,” mourners said of Soda in an interview with ZBC, the country's national broadcaster.
He is survived by his wife, Shamiso, and their three children.
Soda was among five people killed when the helicopter came down at Kudenga Farm in Marondera Rural on Wednesday, September 30. Chivayo, his wife Lucy, co-pilot Captain Courage Matavirwa and Lucy's aide Senelisiwe Magagula also died in the crash.
His burial comes as investigators continue efforts to establish what caused the helicopter to crash.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe and other authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Preliminary observations indicated that the helicopter struck the ground, followed by a fuel spill and fire, although authorities have cautioned that the post-crash fire does not by itself establish what caused the aircraft to go down.
At Soda's family home, the mood has been one of grief as relatives and colleagues reflect on a career cut short by the accident.
As investigations continue, the families of the other victims are also preparing to bid farewell to their loved ones.
A funeral wake for Captain Courage Matavirwa, who served as co-pilot, is also underway in Highfield, Harare.
Family members, friends and neighbours have gathered to mourn him following the crash.
Matavirwa's death has added another painful chapter to the tragedy, with reports saying he had been married only months before the crash and is survived by his wife.
However, details of his funeral arrangements were still being worked out as of Friday.
For Soda's family, Sunday's burial in Marondera will mark the end of days of mourning since the crash.
The pilot's death has been felt beyond his immediate family, with colleagues and friends paying tribute to a man they say was devoted to his profession and valued relationships with those around him.
As the families prepare for the final send-offs, investigations into the crash continue, with aviation and police authorities examining the wreckage and other evidence to determine what happened before the helicopter went down.
