FAREWELL TO A “FEARLESS” LGBTI ACTIVIST

By Miles Tanhira (BTM Correspondent)

“If more people in this world were as passionate about their beliefs and the cause they took up as Keith was, or even took causes up at all, it would be a very different place indeed. The Keith’s of this world are altogether way too rare.”

These were powerful words said during Keith Goddard’s eulogy in his funeral service held this morning, 15 october, at GALZ resource centre.

Activists, artists and GALZ members came all out to pay their last respects to “a man who dared trade where angels feared.”

During the service, speaker after speaker spoke highly of Keith Goddard as a selfless man, who put his life on the line for what he believed in and sacrificed himself for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people (LGBTI) people in the world.

In her speech, a close friend of the Goddard, Rosie Mitchell, described Keith as a courageous and remarkable man who touched so many people’s lives and made an impact.

“Keith challenged all of us. He recognised in each of us, our individual moral weaknesses, our flaws and doubts, and he went for the jugular. In doing so he forced us to confront the parts of ourselves in need of examination and scrutiny, forced us to question, the way the world is, everything. He had fearlessness in his convictions that bordered on the reckless, and the world is better for that recklessness, for the world needs people like Keith and there are few enough of them, and they leave their mark”, Mitchell explained.

Echoing the same sentiments, Agrippa Sora, Director of Zimbabwe College of Music said Goddard was a humble artists who had committed his time and life to the college where he was not only a board member but a lecturer.

“Keith came to the college when he was only 12 years old and he had a passion for music and contributed immensely to the music industry in Zimbabwe. He had even volunteered to teach ‘O’ level Cambridge music lesson to our new students in 2010.

His death is a great loss to both the college and the students.”

Human rights activist and a board member of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Forum (ZHRF), Brian Penduka, added that Keith was a down to earth man and an activist who was dedicated to his work.

“He would not demand any money for his work and was always available to do his duty as a ZHRF board member, he did not complain even when things were difficult he always offered to help. His death is a blow not only to the forum but to many human right activists”, Penduka emphasised.

GALZ Co chairperson, Belinda Weale also said Keith make a great contribution to the Zimbabwean LGBTI community and fought tirelessly for the rights of the marginalised.

“Today we mourn not only the death of a director but also an inspiration to the whole LGBTI community, as well as an active human rights activist all over the world. Keith has left an inexplicable void in all our lives and our work.”

During the service, some of Keith’s students played some traditional music instruments in his honour.

Meanwhile the body of the gallant and veteran human rights activist and musician will be taken to Mutare for cremation tomorrow 16 October.

It is indeed a loss for the LGBTI community of Zimbabwe, human rights fraternity as well as the music industry.

Fare thee well, Cadre ,Rest in peace and may your star continue shinning down upon us, your legacy and your hard work will be cherished, we shall lift the  banner of human rights high up!