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Bulawayo Bureau
A SOMBRE atmosphere engulfed the Dibilashaba community yesterday as scores of people bade farewell to Chief Marupi who died recently in Harare and was laid to rest at his homestead in the Selonga area of Gwanda South.
The untimely death of Chief Marupi has been described as a huge loss as the youthful leader had great potential.
Chief Marupi died on October 20 after a short illness, while admitted to Healthpoint Hospital in Harare. He was 28.
The young chief was buried next to his father, the late Lawrence Nare.
In a speech read on his behalf by Matabeleland South provincial Chiefs’ Council chairperson, Chief Tshitaudze, Local Government and Public Works Minister, Daniel Garwe, said he was saddened by the chief’s death after 10 years of service.
He applauded other substantive chiefs, elders and advisors who played a part in grooming and offering guidance to the late Chief Marupi.
Minister Garwe said the chief played a significant role in spearheading development in his community under key sectors including health, education, water and sanitation, infrastructure, communication and farming.
“The district has remained poorer without Chief Marupi. The family is encouraged to remain united in such trying times,” he said.
“Hold on to the values of your clan and forge ahead with life and your chieftainship. Government greatly respects and attaches great importance to the institution of chiefs, not only as custodians of our traditional and cultural values, but also as influential development actors.”
President of the Chiefs Council, Chief Mtshane Khumalo, who was the chief mourner, urged the family and community to respect the cultural values of succession.
“We have suffered a huge loss as the chiefs’ fraternity and we mourn together with the family and the community. We hope as the Marupi family you won’t be caught up in conflicts over the chieftaincy. Let’s look deeply into the set cultural guidelines of succession as they exist,” said Chief Mtshane.
“I would also like to urge the community to support the family and not cause divisions and conflicts because sometimes community members mislead family members.”
Chief Tshitaudze, who was a close friend to the late chief, described him as a hardworker.
He said it is not easy to assume a role as huge as that of a chief when still young, but Chief Marupi had made significant strides to become accustomed despite hurdles. Chief Tshitaudze said the support of community and family members was crucial to the development of young chiefs.
“I was close to the late Chief Marupi and we worked well together. I found it easy to relate with him as he was my age mate. When I became chief in 2013 I got courage and strength in the fact that I wasn’t the only young chief as there was Chief Marupi and other young chiefs,” he said.
In a speech read on her behalf by Matabeleland South provincial acting director Local Government Services Zachariah Jusah, Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Evelyn Ndlovu said the province has suffered a huge loss following the death of Chief Marupi.
She said chiefs have a huge role to play in the development of communities and Chief Marupi has left a huge loss.
A family representative, Mr Molisa Marupi said they were burying the late chief with a heavy heart. He said they watched with delight as the late chief grew and got accustomed to his duties as a chief. Mr Marupi said they would have wanted to see their son lead for centuries.
He said the family will forge ahead united in order to get through this hurdle.
Chief Marupi is survived by his wife Rorisang Tlou.
Born Ouheng Nare, Chief Marupi was installed in 2011 as a minor awaiting to officially take over in 2014 when he turned 18.
He took over from his father Lawrence Nare who died in 2008.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter