Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
CHIEF Mataga, a highly respected traditional leader from Mberengwa District in Midlands Province, was laid to rest at his homestead yesterday following his death on Sunday at the age of 85.
Born Malaini Nkomo, Chief Mataga died while undergoing treatment at Musume Hospital in Mberengwa District.
Hundreds of people from all walks of life gathered at his homestead to pay their last respects and celebrate the life of their departed leader.
Chief Mataga served his community for 18 years, earning a reputation as a wise and dedicated leader.
Chief Mourner, the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, said the late Chief Mataga was dedicated to his work of improving the livelihoods of the villagers.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Permanent Secretary for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Edgar Seenza, Minister Ncube urged lawmakers to swiftly pass the Traditional Leaders Amendment Bill, which aims to support the welfare of chiefs’ widows and traditional leaders at large.
“We implore the Traditional Leaders Amendment Bill to be expedited to Parliament and passed into law to cater for Chiefs’ widows’ welfare and traditional leaders in general,” he said.
Midlands provincial chief’s council chairperson, Chief Ngungumbane, said Chief Mataga will be remembered as a straightforward man who spoke his mind without fear or favour.
He said his contributions to the district, province, and country at large will be sorely missed.
“He was development and results-oriented and played a crucial role in conflict resolution, especially during the land dispute at Mataga growth point. He upheld the community’s culture and tradition,” said Chief Ngungumbane.
He said Chief Mataga was also a presiding officer who adjudicated over cases involving customary law adding that he was a humble and honest person.
“I implore the family to honour the legacy of the Mataga chieftainship and be an excellent role model to the community they lead. The death of Chief Mataga does not leave a vacuum in his community. We implore the family to appoint an acting chief ‘Sarapavana’, to continue with the role. We also implore the family to avoid squabbles when they appoint an acting chief,” he said.
Chief Ngungumbane said as chiefs in the Midlands Province, they are grateful to the Government for covering the funeral costs of the late chief.
“I implore the Government to look into the welfare chiefs’ widow and all other chiefs’ widows after the chieftainship would have moved to another house,” he said.
“We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Government for covering the funeral expenses, namely coffin, grocery, and chema. May his soul rest in peace,” he said.
Chief Mataga is survived by eight children and 16 grandchildren.
