The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE late Headman Chiadzwa who succumbed to a heart attack on Saturday has been roundly described as a development icon whose undying passion to see infrastructural development in the diamond mining area will never be forgotten by all those who knew him.
Born Robert Chinoona Chiadzwa, Headman Chiadzwa breathed his last at Mutambara Mission Hospital and is set to be laid to rest today (Friday).
He was 91.
In an interview, his son, Mr Newman Chiadzwa said his father was greatly concerned about issues relating to development in his area.
“My father was a loving and caring person. He remained relentless in his call for infrastructural development in our area,” he said.
In a condolence message, the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) wrote: “ZCDC would like to express its heartfelt condolences to the Chiadzwa family and the entire Marange community on the sad passing on of Headman Robert Chiadzwa.
“He was a progressive and influential community leader whose unparalleled contributions and achievements go beyond the excellent relationship between the Marange community and the ZCDC to the development of sustainable diamond mining in Chiadzwa, for the benefit of the local community and the entire national economy. His selfless contributions shall forever remain indelibly etched in our memories.”
In a separate condolence message, Anjin General Manager, Mr Yang Mei wrote, “Headman Robert Chiadzwa was a unifier, a father, a traditional leader par excellence and a moderator, tutor, and a respected community elder.
“His passing on has robbed both the community and the mining companies in Chiadzwa of a very peace-loving, influential, and humble community leader. Headman Robert Chiadzwa’s influence was far beyond the community he led and his contribution to the diamond global community is well written in both the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme and the World Diamond Council records.
“To the Chiadzwa family and community, we say your loss is our loss; your tears are our tears, and we are with you in such trying times. May God console you and us all as we collectively mourn our Headman, and may you continue to find solace in the knowledge that it’s God who gives life and it is Him who takes it. May Headman Chiadzwa’s soul rest in peace.”
Mutare West Ward 30 Councillor Joshua Chibuwe described the late headman as a development icon in his area of jurisdiction.
“He was a development icon in his own right. When he started serving as Headman around 2010, we started the construction of a mother’s home at the local clinic as women had no place for maternity delivery.
“We went on to undertake some construction works at Gonora Clinic. Rombe and Gonora Primary Schools also benefited in terms of the construction works initiated by the late headman. In terms of the development works that he initiated and worked hard to see their completion, the list is long,” he said.
Headman Chiadzwa’s assistant, Mr Shadreck Chipise commended to the late traditional leader for his ability to solve disputes amicably.
“We will sorely miss Headman Chiadzwa because of his ability to preside over and solve disputes in our community. He was an intelligent man who was also passionate about educational issues, he wanted children in our area to attain education,” he said.
