The ManicaPost
Blessing Rwizi Post Correspondent
|THE late 14th Chief Nerutanga, Mutizwa Mavhimira who died at the age of 99 on May 31, was given a grand send-off last Sunday.
Thousands of people from all walks of life swarmed Mhishi Village in Buhera, not to mourn, but celebrate the life of the man who managed to see three family generations. Chief Nerutanga left behind nine children, 60 grandchildren and 86 great-grand children. This brings a total of 156 people surviving him.
Traditional leaders, Government officials and the Zanu-PF political leadership also attended the burial. Zion Christian Church (ZCC) brass band provided entertainment, while Wimpy Mutare Restaurant provided food and beverages during the funeral.
The multitudes of people danced, ate and made merry from last Saturday to Sunday and left surplus of the food and beverages at what was referred to as a ‘funeral party’. Moonlight Funeral Assurance Company brought eight vehicles and more than 15 staff members to give the chief a befitting send-off, while Nyaradzo Funeral Assurance Company chipped in with transport to ferry mourners to and from Buhera. Doves Funeral Assurance also provided other services before the burial. More than 100 sleek vehicles also descended on Buhera and parking space proved to be a challenge as the who is who of Mutare was there.
Pall-bearers carry the casket with the late Chief Nerutanga’s body to his final resting place
Addressing thousands of people during the burial, his son and prominent Mutare lawyer, Mr Misheck Mugadza, said prior to his death, Chief Nerutanga advised the family that people should not mourn, but celebrate his long lived life. “My father was a very humble, loving and God-fearing man. He was a pastor in the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) and one of the longest serving Nerutanga chiefs. We thank God for the time that He gave us with him. Before his death, he chose a place where he wanted to be buried. When his time was almost up, he advised us to celebrate his life during his funeral wake.
“He told us that he wanted to be mourned and buried in a very classy style. Most people may wonder why nobody is crying here, but we are doing things the way our late father wanted,” said Mr Mugadza. Speaking during the funeral, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene urged people to respect their traditional values for them to live longer.
Daughter-in-law, Mrs Rosina Mugadza (right) and other women were not outdone in giving the late chief a befitting send-off
“Modern day generations are dying early because we have lost our traditional values. Traditional foods have very good nutritional values and old people lived longer. Chief Nerutanga is a typical example. Besides being a pastor, he never lost his tradition and that made him enjoy life to the fullest. We are forgetting our ancestors and traditional values, simply because we think it is associated with evil.
“Long back we believed in communicating with God via spirit medium. That was our tradition, but where has that gone to? Traditional leaders play vital roles in our societies and we should honour and respect them. Chief Nerutanga managed to follow tradition and ate traditional foods that gave him good health, hence he managed to live up to 99 years. There is every reason to celebrate his life,” said Cde Chimene.
Also addressing mourners, Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Dr Chris Mushohwe: “We are grateful for the parental role played by the late chief. He played an important role in nurturing his children to be responsible citizens especially his son, Misheck who is a humble person besides his social standing.
“I also want to thank Chief Charumbira for gracing this occasion with a number of chiefs from across the country to give their fellow chief a befitting send-off. We did not mourn because we are celebrating the well lived life of our father. He gave us values of unhu and ubuntu.”
President of Zimbabwe Chief’s Council, Senator Fortune Charumbira, urged the Mugadza family not to fight over the successor of the late chief.
“I urge the remaining families not to quarrel over who is to succeed our late chief, but rather wait for the right time. There are certain procedures to be followed so there is no hurry. He was a man of peace and it is wiser to temporarily leave one of his sons in charge until the right time comes to nominate the 15th Chief Nerutanga,” said Chief Charumbira.
Chief Nerutanga was diagnosed of prostate cancer 10 years ago, but quite unusual of the disease, he survived for a decade battling the disease.
The Nerutangas trace their roots from Chief Musikavanhu in Chipinge and migrated to their current land in search of greener pastures. They are hailed as peace-loving people as they were never involved in wars with any chiefs during their migration and stay in Buhera.
