Dad’s loss is sinking in — Chirikure

Trust Khosa

Zimpapers Art, Entertainment Hub

Renowned author, poet and writer Chirikure Chirikure says the weight of his father, Clanous Devera Chirikure’s passing on is becoming more profound two weeks after his death. The late historian, who served as Chief Nemashakwe in Gutu, Masvingo, passed away on May 14 in Mvurwi at the age of 108.

A respected centenarian, Chief Nemashakwe was not only an academic and author but also a philanthropist who spent his final days in and out of hospital.

Reflecting on his father’s death, the literary arts guru noted that Chief Nemashakwe’s passing on is now sinking in.

“My father was 108 years old at the time of his death, and he ran his race with distinction,” stressed Chirikure.

“In our culture, the death of someone of his age should be a celebration, not mourning. However, there are good traits these people have shown us that we will cherish for years to come. “This is certainly the case with my father, who was also Chief Nemashakwe, who died on May 14 and was laid to rest on May 18.”

Chirikure, who has gone out of his way to honour his father, told Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub that Chief Nemashakwe was a wellspring of knowledge.

“I have acquired all that I have at the moment because of my father, who worked tirelessly for us to be educated. He also looked after 23 other children from his three brothers — Pinias, Kaka and Sonnie.

“In my family, there were seven children, and that was a big number of people he looked after. In our family, we are all professionals because of him,” he explained.

Chirikure revealed that his heart bleeds as his father had yet to publish some of the manuscripts he wrote. “My father was a writer, and I will always cherish the good work that he did to ensure we follow in his footsteps.

“His only published work is the book titled ‘Mamuko — Nhoroondo yeDzinza raNemashakwe’, which chronicles our origin. He has also written several books, but we are yet to complete his manuscripts,” he said.

As a way of honouring Chief Nemashakwe, Chirikure noted that plans were underway to ensure he receives the recognition he deserves.

“Chiefs are the custodians of our culture, and as such, they are respected from the highest levels to the lowest. There is a function to be held with the support of the government, but I can’t share details now; it’s in the pipeline.”

Chirikure mentioned that his mother, Svodesai Chirikure, née Sithole, had accepted the fate of losing her husband.

“The two have been together for 65 years, and it’s a huge milestone not to be undermined. Regarding my father’s death, my mother saw it coming because they were always together. We are staying with her in Harare because she needs us badly,” stated Chirikure.

Despite a tough upbringing, Chief Nemashakwe still pursued education through savings he made over the years.

“My father’s classmates at Goromonzi High School included Walter Kamba, Dr Sadza and Herbert Ushewokunze, among others.

“He was much older than them and went to school later because of the circumstances outlined in his biography.

“He made sure that all family members and his brothers’ children were educated to the highest level possible.” In a recent article with The Herald Arts, now Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub, it was noted that Chief Nemashakwe had been spending 90 percent of his day sleeping. A proud centenarian, the wheelchair-bound grandpa was one of the oldest documented men in his family tree.

He rose from being a relief teacher to a qualified tutor and school head and retired as a District Education Officer.

According to his biography, Chief Nemashakwe was born in 1917 in Mushayavanhu, Gutu, in a family of six — three boys and three girls.

As a young lad, he didn’t like school but was persuaded by Mr Arimos Makonese to enrol in Sub A and B at Sengai Primary School.

In 1935, he lost his father, and all their livestock was seized by relatives.

He dropped out of school and went to work as a herd boy for Mr Makonese. In 1936, he repeated Sub B and was taught by Mr Ismael Diza. Determined to pursue education, he recovered one of his father’s beasts, which he sold for £2 and enrolled at Silveira  Mission. In 1938, he dropped out of school and became a herd boy for Mr Makonese again.

Lady luck smiled on him in 1939 when Mr Makonese facilitated his enrolment at Pamushana Mission, where one of Mr Makonese’s sons was learning.

Under this arrangement, the young Chirikure would work for Mr Makonese during the holidays. In 1940, Mr Makonese was transferred to Harare, and he found himself studying at Alheit Mission, where learners from poor families worked in exchange for school fees.

He finished Standard 6 in 1944.

In his quest to raise money for further studies, he worked as a relief teacher between 1945 and 1946. In 1946, he enrolled at Goromonzi High when the first black secondary school opened. He worked for white teachers at the school and finished Form 4 in 1952.

He then enrolled at Waddilove Mission for a teacher training course in 1953.

In 1953, he taught at Alheit Mission, and a year later, he became a headmaster at Chitsa Primary School.

He got married in 1960 and taught at several schools in Gutu. He retired in 1992 as a District Education Officer (DEO) in the area.

Chief Nemashakwe was blessed with 21 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, and he looked after 23 children, including seven of his own.