Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
A WATERFALLS family gathered on Saturday to pay tribute to their godfather, Joshua Muza Tangawabaiwa.
The late businessman fathered 60 children.
At the time of his death, he had more than 100 grandchildren and great grandchildren.
The ceremony celebrated Tangawabaiwa’s life of entrepreneurship, family devotion, faith, resilience and influence across Zimbabwe. Speakers noted that he managed to educate all his children.
He died on September 29, last year.
He was 97. Entertainment was provided by Baba Mechanic Manyeruke, Jonah Chivasa and Kuda Mutsvene, adding a religious and community flavour to the programme.
Born on March 28, 1928, Tangawabaiwa rose from humble beginnings to build businesses around the country after starting out by selling clothes.
“He later developed the trade name “Tangawabaiwa”, and grew his ventures to include shops, supermarkets, liquor businesses and a hotel.
He also owned a football club and worked as a boxing promoter. Jemitias Dzingiso, 88, described Tangawabaiwa as a man of wisdom and generosity.
“All Tangawabaiwa’s friends made it in terms of a better life because of his wisdom and his heart to help and share with others,” said Dzingiso.
“He added that Tangawabaiwa, an ardent Baptist, donated cash to several churches in Highfield and Waterfalls.“He was so generous and assisted a number of church leaders, he was a good teacher of the word. God blessed his business empire and the secret was his generosity.”
One of the beneficiaries, Pastor Rosemary Mangwanya, said she and her husband, Apostle Stephen Mangwanya, received a stand from Tangawabaiwa, where they built their church.
“I am here to remember and recount the love of Tangawabaiwa who donated a piece of land for the construction of our church structure,” said Pastor Rosemary. “It is my prayer that his soul rests in eternal peace and that his children continue to uphold his legacy,” she said.
Tangawabaiwa’s 65-year-old daughter, Tendisa, described her father as a loving and caring man.
“I was born at the time when my father was beginning to unpack and fulfil his dreams.
“He was so loving and he had the ability to change people around him for the better.
“He preached love and unity to all his children,” she said. Another daughter, Tecla, said Tangawabaiwa met his wife in 1957, after their paths crossed when she was getting off a school bus on her way to Morgenster College.
They married on August 29, 1958.
She noted that the couple’s first son was kidnapped and was never found, a pain she said remained with the family for life.
Tangawabaiwa’s daughter said he built his early life and business future by travelling across Zimbabwe on a bicycle, selling clothes and building trust “one customer at a time.”
Tecla said after Independence, her parents sold their Highfield home and bought more than 100 acres in Waterfalls, where the family home still stands. She said he had several wives and that at his death he was survived by 37 children, along with more than 100 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Tecla said Tangawabaiwa’s resilience was tested repeatedly, including the loss of his daughter Susan and granddaughter Stimbile.
He also lost his son Dave to violent crime.
“Through victories and setbacks, through celebration and grief, he endured,” Tecla said.
