tawandamusarurwa
Steve Trinity Chidawanyika
MR GILES CHIPO CHIDAWANYIKA was born on June 19, 1919 to his father Cyril Petai Chidawanyika (who was crippled), and mother Tebitha Mashanja Chidawanyika (nee Tande), at St Augustine’s Mission, Muchena communal lands, in a family of eight children (four boys and four girls).
He attended St Augustine’s Mission School and trained as a teacher there.
He then went on to become a teacher at the same institution, rising to become the primary school head.
He also lectured at the mission’s teacher training college.
Trained teachers were attached to the lower and upper primary school, whilst under teacher practice.
Some of his students, most of whom became very prominent leaders, include Herbert Wiltshire Pfumaindini Chitepo; Dr Dexter Chavhunduka; Professor Gordon Chavhunduka; Bishop Murindagomo; Noel Mukono; Joram Tinawapi; Enerst Kadungure; Reverend Advocate Denis Bepe; Ambassador David Hamadziripi; Dr Henry Muradzikwa; General Alfred Joel Mutasa (first ZANLA commander); Edgar Ziwanai Tekere (ZANU secretary-general); Prof Teddy Zengeni; Advocate Mavis Gumede (first female barrister); Davis Mugabe; Justin Nyoka; Brown Mazaiwana; Theodore Chitsike; Christopher Musendo; Alfridge Tekere; Banz Njikizana; Dr Sam Makanza; Ephy Ndora (Prof Arthur Mutambara’s mother); Hector Zengeni; Euphenia Musengezi; Edgar Masarira; Bisset Chitsike; Basil Chidyamatamba; Prof Christopher Magadza; Edgar Madekurizwa; Josiah Murombedzi; Kennedy Masakadza; Soddy Mvududu; James Jakachira; Michael Chitepo; Noel Matengera; Moffat Chidawanyika; Gordon Mombeshora; Gevas Chidawanyika; Oliver Saunyama; and Oliver Garapo.
Rev Father Benjamin Bernham, who was the St Augustine’s Mission principal and priest-in-charge, fired Baba Giles Chidawanyika from the teaching post and blacklisted him from teaching sometime around September 1963, after the formation of ZANU, for which he was one of the 15 who were present.
Some of the African teachers who taught with Mr GC Chidawanyika at St Augustine’s Mission during various periods of his service there — a few of whom sold him out to the Anglican missionaries, leading to his numerous arrests, detention and expulsion and finally blacklisting — include Dexter Chavhunduka (sciences); Douglas Sagonda (Biology, and headmaster, teacher training college); Harry Akino (Tailoring and night school); Julius Gwatidzo (Agriculture); Musikawanhu (Agriculture); Mhlanga (Carpentry); Mutambara (secondary and primary, and boarding master); Gilbert Rondozai (Shona, and also boarding master); Joram Tinawapi; Mike Mpingo; Kwembeya; Mrs Rondozai; Daniel Mbwando; Edward Gareta; Kabefu; Basil Chidyamatamba (all primary school); Samuel Kamutepfa; Arthur Mawobvera (school clerks) and Herbert Makina.
Others were Fr Benjamin Benham (principal); Fr James Woodraw (choir master); Rev Dr Arthur Balfour (secondary school headmaster); Norman Michel (Maths/physics); Bernell; Darling (chemistry/physics); Sr Mary Francis (history); Fr Dr Duncan Dangton (divinity); Norman Davis (English); and Ronald Barkley (headmaster, secondary school, after Fr Dr Balfour).
Note that Mr GC Chidawanyika, was headmaster and also the orderly working with Dr Taylor at St David’s Mission Hospital; and with Sr Mary Catherine at St Augustine’s Mission Clinic.
Herbert Chitepo, my father’s student and very close friend
Herbert Wiltshire Pfumaindini Chitepo died on March 18, 1975, after having been at the helm of ZANU and ZANLA in exile for 12 years after having formed ZANLA from scratch, and whilst at the same time, James Chikerema was at the helm of ZAPU and ZIPRA, until later on.
But for Chitepo, he was only to be martyred from that role, by death without completing what he had started.
Online Reporter