The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Reporter
THE late national hero, Dr Christopher Chindoti Mushohwe, was an education and development icon whose legacy will long be remembered by thousands of beneficiaries of the Presidential Scholarship Programme which he coordinated for years, up to the time of his death.
The former Governor for Manicaland died on Monday after a lengthy illness.
His body was on Wednesday flown to his home in Chindoti area, Marange, where hundreds of villagers braved the rains to bid farewell to Cde Mushohwe before he was transported back to Harare for burial yesterday (Thursday).
Speaker after speaker during the funeral parade held at his Chindoti home described Dr Mushohwe as a God-fearing leader who played a big role in assisting the smooth flow of pastoral work in the United Methodist Church where he was a devotee.
Cde Mushohwe’s sister-in-law, Mrs Agnes Mushohwe said the departed national hero was a pillar of strength and a benefactor for the whole family.
“We are in a quandary as the Mushohwe family following the death of Dr Christopher Mushohwe. He was a pillar of strength for the entire family, not just his immediate family. They all know how groceries would be delivered in a truck at the homestead for the benefit of everyone.
“Perhaps it was because of his political background that he would give something to everyone in the family, he would not choose,” she said.
Zanu PF national secretary for finance, Cde Chinamasa said: “Apart from his passion for infrastructural development, Dr Mushohwe was passionate about the well-being of his United Methodist Church. Each time we visited his home, we would hear that pastor so and so has just left. Dr Mushohwe was a God-fearing leader whose love for the church was evident.”
Cde Chinamasa, who accompanied the body to and from Marange, together with the wife of the late national hero, Mrs Penelope Mushohwe, said Dr Mushohwe only stopped working for the development of the country and his home area when he fell sick.
“Dr Mushohwe was a development oriented leader whose passion about issues relating to infrastructural development remains unquestionable. Each time we talked, his issues had something to do with improving the state of affairs, not only here in Marange, but the whole nation.
“He only stopped working for the development of the country and his beloved home area of Marange when he fell sick. I am sure many of you here last saw him about three or four years ago, a period he fell sick. This is why I say my uncle, as I called him, is finally resting.
“He was a war collaborator in the mid-1970s and later underwent basic military training here in Zimbabwe. He worked in Government for a long time in different positions of leadership that include Director of State Residences; Minister of State for Manicaland; Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development; Minister of Publicity, Information and Broadcasting Services as well as his contribution in the Politburo where he handled economic affairs,” said Cde Chinamasa.
Director for Presidential Scholarships Administration in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mr William Taringa, who worked with the departed national hero for 13 years since 2012, said Dr Mushohwe worked tirelessly under the Presidential Scholarship Programme which was an offshoot of the adult education programme that Dr Mushohwe was administering for war veterans at State House.
“We have lost an education and development icon who will be long remembered by thousands of beneficiaries of the Presidential Scholarship Programme. Dr Mushohwe managed that programme.
“His immense contribution to the Presidential Scholarship Programme is well documented. He served as the Executive Director of the programme, a post he held until his demise.
“We are all aware of the several Cabinet Ministerial posts that he held, as well as the Mutare West Constituency legislative role where he showed his passion for development.
“Apart from development projects undertaken in other parts of the country as a Cabinet Minister in different Government ministries, Dr Mushohwe initiated numerous development projects in Mutare West Constituency, including but not limited to irrigation, roads, schools, clinics and churches. As such, we have lost an education and development icon,” said Mr Taringa.
Mutare Rural District Council chief executive, Mr Shepherd Chinaka said: “This is a huge loss to us because we had a good working relationship with Dr Mushohwe, even during the days he was Governor for Manicaland and when he was Member of the House of Assembly for Mutare West.
“Dr Mushohwe would visit our offices to discuss issues relating to the development of Mutare West since the area falls under the purview of Mutare Rural District Council.
“He was a hands on person who would make follow ups on each and every development project that he would have initiated in the constituency. The people of Mutare West in particular and the nation in general will miss him.”
Zanu PF Manicaland provincial chairman, Cde Tawanda Mukodza said Dr Mushohwe was a team player and a unifier.
“Dr Mushohwe will always be remembered in the party structures as a team player who gave an ear to each and everyone who made their contributions for the good of the party. He respected everyone. He will also be remembered for being a unifier.
