Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
THE late Chief Bakwayi will be buried at his rural home in Kezi, Matobo District today with the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, expected to officiate at the ceremony.
Born Stanley Bakwayi Sithole from Mtotobi area in Ward 13, Matobo District, Chief Bakwayi died at 84 in Bulawayo on Sunday 17 May following a short illness.
He had served as a chief for 18 years.
Matobo District Development Coordinator Mr Obey Chaputsira said burial arrangements are underway.
“We have engaged with the family and it has been agreed that the late Chief Bakwayi will be buried at his rural homestead on Sunday. We expect Minister of Local Government and Public Works Minister David Garwe or a representative to officiate at the ceremony. Burial arrangements are underway and we will continue engaging with the family,” he said.
Chief Bakwayi’s son, Mr Philani Sithole said his father always emphasised the importance of love, peace and unity within his household. He said Chief Bakwayi also encouraged and promoted respect.
Mr Sithole said his father emphasised that respect knows no age or gender and went further to instill these values on his grandchildren.
Mr Sithole said he also learnt a lot on how to co-exist with the community from his father. He said while they are mourning as a family and community they look forward to giving their late father a befitting send off.
“My father played a crucial role in our lives as a family. Some might know him as chief but to us he was also a father, friend, confidant and a great support system.
“He had also assumed the role of nurturing his grandchildren, some were even staying with him,” said Mr Sithole.
“He would laugh, joke and play with his grandchildren but where necessary he would draw the line. My father always said being a leader doesn’t require one to be ruthless and harsh to command respect.”
The leadership of Matabeleland South has described the death of Chief Bakwayi as a huge loss to the province as it has lost of a fountain of wisdom and key player in the development agenda.
Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, described the death of Chief Bakwayi as a huge loss to the province.
He said without Chief Bakwayi the community, province and nation has lost a development agenda.
“We mourn together with the Sithole family. Chief Bakwayi’s death isn’t a loss to the family only but the entire community of Matabeleland South and the entire nation as well as Government.
“Traditional leaders play a crucial role in the country’s development agenda and they are also custodians of our culture and traditions,” he said.
“Traditional leaders are responsible for spearheading development at community level. We can’t have any development without traditional leaders.
“The late Chief Bakwayi was one of the elderly chiefs that we had in the province. That means we have lost a fountain of wisdom.”
Chief Masendu from Bulilima District described the late Chief Bakwayi as a father figure to other traditional leaders. He said the late chief had utmost respect for his fellow chiefs regardless of his age.
Chief Masuku from Gwanda District said Chief Bakwayi has left a gap that will be hard to fill as a family and the entire community.
Chief Tshitaudze of Beitbridge said as a young chief there is a lot that he had learnt from the late Chief Bakwayi.
“As young traditional leaders we look up to those who have been there long before us for guidance, mentorship and advise. Chief Bakwayi is one of the chiefs who was playing this crucial role,” he said.
“We value the role, which elderly chiefs and we don’t take them for granted. We mourn together with his family. The gap he has left will be hard to fill.”
The late Chief Bakwayi was born on 24 June 1942. He was installed on 31 August 2007. He is survived by his wife Hluphe Sithole, four children and grandchildren. — @DubeMatutu
