The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
CHIEF Shepard Chengeta Makumbe was buried secretly by close dynasty elders at his rural home in Buhera on Wednesday.
He was 57.
Chief Makumbe died last week on Thursday after a short illness.
Thousands of mourners — among them 45 chiefs, led by Zimbabwe Chiefs’ Council president, Senator Chief Mthsnae Khumalo, ministers, politicians, legislators, headmen, village heads, subjects and relatives — where ordered to disperse after being served lunch — to allow the dynasty’s inner circle to conduct requisite rituals and inter his remains.
There was no body viewing either.
This secrecy around his burial was in line with the vaNjanja of the Sinyoro totem, customs and traditions.
He was appointed the 9th substantive Chief Makumbe on November 10, 2017, following which he became chairman of the Manicaland Chief’s Assembly, a member of the national Chiefs’ Council and Senator.
President of Senate, Senator Mabel Chinomona said Chief Makumbe’s death was a big loss to the nation as he spearheaded Government developmental projects with distinction.
“He presided over the second largest area in the district, straddling six wards, four headmen and 265 village heads, during which he was instrumental in spearheading Government programmes to attain the middle income economy. He led his subjects and facilitated socio-economic developmental initiatives in his area.
“He facilitated the construction of Ngundu Primary School (Ward Three), to the assist less privileged learners to access quality education within a walking distance. He was instrumental in spearheading the construction of Marowanyati Dam — one of the various water infrastructure development projects financed by Government to help improve water availability for both irrigation and domestic use in Buhera,” she said.
Senator Chinomona said the late Chief Makumbe was a force to reckon with when dealing with national interests.
“He was a sharp shooter, especially in his area of expertise — electrical engineering, which he executed with distinction. If we had an option, we would have wanted him to continue to push the national development agenda at national level. He died so young, and we hope God will raise another visionary traditional leader to spearheading meaningful development,” she said.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza described the late chief as a humble and workaholic leader, who left behind big shoes, difficult to fill.
“Tabayiwa. His death is a huge loss and blow to Manicaland.
He was a workaholic and wanted the best for his area.
He was humble and never flouted his wings to show that he was a chief. He was an astute relations builder.
“I want to thank Government for improving the welfare of traditional leaders through electrifying their homesteads, maintaining roads leading to their homestead and enhancing their mobility through off road vehicles,” he said.
Chief Fortune Charumbira said Chief Makumbe had rare capacity that he used to better the institution of chiefs.
Traditional chiefs at Chief Makumbe’s funeral
“He was appointed substantive chief in 2017, and in 2018, he was elected the chairman of the provincial chief’s assembly, which shows capacity. The institution had seen a lot of capacity in him, which explains why he had been retained in those three positions again.
“It points to his capacity. He was one of the loud voices against the Marriage’s Bill that had been passed in the Lower House, but was rejected by Senate, and was parked for two years.
“In the history of Parliament, no bill took that long to be passed. It was because of the likes of Makumbe, who refused to rubber stamp it because it infringed on our values and cultures, especially on the aspect of lobola.
“Death is a great loss, and in this case we will continue to miss him. We faced big challenges, team up, raise our voices together and prevailed. We have lost one of our biggest voices as a team,” he said.
Zanu PF treasurer general, Cde Patrick Chinamasa said Chief Makumbe was a patriot who related well with the ruling Zanu PF.
Zanu PF provincial spokesperson, and Buhera Central legislator, Cde Sam Matema said Chief Makumbe was a man of the people.
“The district is poorer without him. He was a very progressive and modern traditional leader. He was pro-development to the extent that as a district we appointed him the patron of the Buhera Development Forum which underlines his approach towards developmental issues.
“We learnt a lot from him in terms of the way he carried himself, approach to issues like land degradation, deforestation, climate change impacts, among those we can locate in the context of sustainability triangle,” he said.
Chief Makumbe was born on February 6, 1966 in Manyonda Village, Buhera, and did his primary education at Inkomo and Chatindo primary schools.
He proceeded to Nerutanga Secondary School and Milton Boys’ High in Bulawayo for his A-Level, after which he enrolled for apprenticeship in electrical engineering with Zinwa and Ziscosteel.
He also attained a trade testing certificate at City and Guilds in electrical engineering and upgraded himself to attain an executive diploma in business leadership and another Diploma in Peace and Leadership.
Chie Makumbe established his own company in 1997, which executed a lot of projects of national importance, among them at Marovanyati Dam, with distinction.
Chief Makumbe left behind his wife and eight children.
