Death
On 10 November 2003, Banana died of cancer, in London, according to a report delivered by the Zimbabwean High Commissioner. The Guardian, a London-based newspaper, has claimed that Banana had travelled to South Africa, where he eventually died, in order to receive appropriate treatment for his cancer; however, this assertion relies upon uncorroborated testimonial evidence. He was buried in Zimbabwe in late November 2003. President Robert Mugabe called him "a rare gift to the nation" in a radio address. Banana was buried without the full honours that are traditionally accorded to former heads of state. The then politburo Secretary for Information and Publicity Nathan Shamuyarira told state radio that "they (the politburo) could not accord Banana hero status as a matter of principle."
Read more about this topic: Canaan Banana
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