Sundaymail Editor
Bulawayo Bureau
The death of Lupane District traditional leader Chief Mabhikwa has dealt the country a major blow and left the traditional leadership institution poorer, Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has said.
The Vice President, who was representing President Mnangagwa at the burial of the youthful traditional leader at the family’s homestead in Jotsholo, said Chief Mabhikwa was a well-respected man.
Chief Mabhikwa, born Vusumuzi Khumalo, died at the age of 28 on Monday at St Luke’s Hospital where he was receiving treatment after he was involved in a road accident.
“The untimely death of our esteemed Chief dealt us a heavy blow,” he said.
“As information of his demise filtered through to our offices on Monday, it was not only Lupane District which felt the grief and sorrow but the whole nation at large. This is because we all loved him and continue to do so even after his untimely passing on.
“To most of us gathered here and across the length and breadth of our beloved Zimbabwe, our dear Chief remains esteemed in death as he was in life. I wish to point out that Lupane District, the traditional leadership institution and the country is poorer without him.
“As Government, we share and empathise with you at this dark hour of bereavement and join the clan, relatives and friends in mourning the Chief, who was a well-respected person, whose life was well-lived.”
VP Chiwenga described Chief Mabhikwa as a development-orientated traditional leader, who spearheaded some of the biggest infrastructural development projects ever initiated in the province.
“The late Chief Mabhikwa served very well in all his chieftainship roles, which cover social, judicial, developmental and administrative aspects in his area of jurisdiction and the nation at large. The late Chief was responsible for the establishment of the Jotsholo Irrigation Scheme.
“He rendered his unmatched dedication nationally as he, on numerous occasions up to his untimely death, had been seized with national duties, such as being a board member of the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe.
“I wish to state that the late Chief Mabhikwa, whom we are laying to rest today, played a critical role as an advisor of young chiefs in Zimbabwe. He was an advocate of development in Lupane, Matabeleland region and the nation as a whole. He worked tirelessly for the revival of Isiphala Senkosi,” he said.
VP Chiwenga also hailed Chief Mabhikwa as a unifying force, a shining example of servant leadership who shunned corruption and upheld traditional values.
“Above all, Chief Mabhikwa was an upright leader, whose leadership qualities will be cherished by generations to come.
“He has had no record of abusing his office and authority for personal gain.
“All that we know is his tireless work for the Government and people of Zimbabwe.
“The late Chief was a visionary leader, who sought to bring together people under his stewardship.”
ZANU PF Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu said Chief Mabhikwa was a robust leader whose achievements surpassed his age.
“He was a young chief who ruled only for a short time but the things he did cannot be rivalled by some of us who have been around for 100 years. As a community, we are proud of the fact that we had a builder among us,” he said.
President of the Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs, Chief Fortune Charumbira described Chief Mabhikwa as an easy-going young man who favoured diplomacy.
“He was cool and composed. When you expected confrontation, he would come and speak in a manner that just seemed beyond his age.
“We have a lot of older, experienced chiefs but he brought the wisdom of the young,” said Chief Charumbira.
Chief Mabhikwa was installed on May 11 2012 at the age of 18 and had as served as the traditional leader for a decade.
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