Online Reporter
Trust Khosa-Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
DUB poet, writer and musician Chirikure Chirikure has been installed as Acting Chief Nemashakwe in Gutu, Masvingo.
The revered performer, writer took over the reins from his father Clanous Devera Chirikure, who passed away last year aged 108.
His father, a former education instructor in Masvingo Province, was widely respected for his distinguished service as Chief Nemashakwe.
Now that he has taken over the reins, Chirikure has vowed to serve his community with distinction.
As the eldest of seven children, Chirikure said he knows the pressure that comes with his new role.
“I am now an acting Chief in Gutu, as I told you before.
“Everything went accordingly and I am ready to serve my community,” Chirikure told Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub.
The multi-talented Chirikure, who will be alternating between Harare and Gutu, revealed that he was ready to serve his community with distinction.
“I cannot refuse to serve my people, and it has always been my father’s wish to do good for the community.
“He served the community, including setting up the Nemashakwe Information Centre, drawing from his educational background.
“I am simply taking over from where he left.”
Chirikure, who has great respect for traditional leadership structures, said he will be working closely with a council of elders.
“A traditional Chief works with a special council that makes important decisions collectively.
“In this era of technology, I can still remain in touch with the council while away from Gutu attending to other responsibilities in Harare.
“However, that does not mean I will lose touch with my people, who expect me to be part of the decision-making process.”
Prior to his installation, he also revealed that the process leading to his installation was delayed by the illness of his ageing mother, Svodesai Chirikure (née Sithole).
“My mother has been unwell for some time, and I think the death of our father last year affected her deeply,” Chirikure said.
He added that his mother had been a pillar of support to his late father throughout his life.
“She supported my father during his years as a teacher, chief and family man.
“It is unfortunate that she suffered a stroke at the age of 87 and has been struggling with her speech.”
As the first-born among the late Chief Nemashakwe’s seven children — four boys and three girls — Chirikure has pledged to continue the developmental projects initiated by his father.
“I was home (Gutu) for a couple of days after signing the papers and, without revealing too much at this stage, there is need for us to focus on some of the projects he started for the community.
“One of those projects is the information centre, where we are partnering with booksellers to ensure that the community benefits.
“There is also need for infrastructural development, which is one of the areas we are looking at.
“There are also some academies with which we hope to establish partnerships.”
He, however, acknowledged that he has stepped into the shoes of a remarkable leader who served as Chief Nemashakwe with pride.
District Administrator for Gutu, Chiedza Tafirei, confirmed Chirikure’s appointment as the incoming Acting Chief.
“He was appointed Acting Chief, which means he will be standing in for his late father,” said Tafirei.
“He will represent his father’s house for two years, after which the family will decide on the way forward.
“This is the first time we have installed an Acting Chief in Gutu.”
With all eyes now on Chirikure, it is worth noting that the late Chief Nemashakwe rose from being a relief teacher to a qualified tutor, school head, and eventually a District Education Officer. He was a rare leader whose life and achievements profoundly influenced his son’s journey.
According to his biography, the late Chief Nemashakwe was born in 1917 in Mushayavanhu, Gutu, into a family of six children — three boys and three girls.
As a young boy, he initially disliked school but was persuaded by one Arimos Makonese to enrol in Sub A and Sub B at Sengai Primary School.
In 1935, he lost his father and the family’s livestock was seized by relatives.
Forced to leave school, he worked as a herd boy for Makonese.
In 1936, he repeated Sub B under the instruction of Ismael Diza.
Determined to continue his education, he recovered one of his late father’s cattle, sold it for £2, and enrolled at Silveira Mission.
In 1938, financial challenges forced him to leave school again and return to herding cattle for Makonese.
His fortunes changed in 1939 when Makonese facilitated his enrolment at Pamushana Mission, where one of his sons was studying.
During school holidays, Chirikure worked for Makonese as part of the arrangement.
When Makonese was transferred to Harare in 1940, Chirikure continued his studies at Alheit Mission, where learners from disadvantaged backgrounds worked in exchange for school fees.
He completed Standard Six in 1944.
To raise money for further studies, he worked as a relief teacher between 1945 and 1946. In 1946, he enrolled at Goromonzi High School when it became the country’s first black secondary school.
He worked for white teachers at the institution and completed Form Four in 1952.
He then enrolled for teacher training at Waddilove Mission in 1953.
That same year, he taught at Alheit Mission and, a year later, became headmaster of Chitsa Primary School.
He married in 1960 and taught at several schools in Gutu before retiring in 1992 as a District Education Officer.
Chief Nemashakwe was blessed with 21 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He also cared for 23 children, including his seven biological children.
Now, one of those children, Chirikure Chirikure, is carrying forward that legacy.
