Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
IN Act 3, Scene 2 of masterclass play, Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, in his funeral oration for Julius Caesar, says: “The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones.”
Basically, this means that people tend to hold onto the memory of wrongs, mistakes, and harm long after a person dies.
But certainly not with the late Mrs Josephine Enea Mudzi Chikuse!
On August 11, 2026, the Zimbabwean nursing fraternity plunged into deep mourning when they lost one of their luminaries, Mrs Chikuse, who diligently served at Mutare School of Nursing among many other roles she played in the nurse education fraternity.
Born on June 10, 1950 and breathed her last on August 12, Mrs Chikuse, who is survived by four children and nine grandchildren, is being remembered more about how she dedicated her professional life to instilling values of proficiency, competence and devotion to duty in the nursing fraternity.
Mrs Chikuse passed away quietly in Mutare after a long illness.
She was 76.
For those that knew her and worked with her, she was one of the outstanding nurse educators, holding a Masters of Education, Bachelor of Adult Education, Diploma in Nurse Education, Registered Midwifery as well as Registered General Nursing.
Dr Esther Mufunda, a senior lecturer and Head of the Department of Health Sciences at Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU), said: “Jossie was a dedicated and seasoned Nurse Education guru. While she was still a senior Tutor at Mutare School of Nursing, she joined ZOU as a part-timer before she finally joined the university’s Manicaland Health Sciences team.
“I worked with her as her chairperson from 2006 until her retirement. No doubt, one institution that Mrs Chikuse served with diligence in her academic capacity is Zimbabwe Open University.
“She worked closely with Dr Nomvuyo Mahlangu, Dr Pat Makoni, Rebecca Nikurawu, Patience Kunaka. Sincere condolences to Miriam Chitura and Dr Mufunda and the current Zimbabwe Open University leadership.
“She was a very hardworking team player. I really miss her smiles and jokes. Fly high vaChihera, vamwene vangu. Till me meet again.”
Dr Sheila Matinhure, a lecturer and public health specialist in the Department of Nursing Science at the University of Zimbabwe Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, said: “I also remember her as Tutor in Charge at Bindura School of Nursing and Midwifery.
“Mrs Chikuse came to benchmark our programmes as we were transitioning from SCN to RGN Training. Mrs Chikuse was a confident, assertive and a luminary cadre in the Nursing Education Discipline.”
Dr Esther Chasokela, Director Nursing services 1996-2020, said: “Josephine Chikuse served for several years as a member of the examinations committee for the then Health Professions, then Nurses Council of Zimbabwe.
“The then chairpersons were the late Dr Rosemary Bakasa, Clara Nondo, Patricia Mackenzie and registrars, Mrs Nduna and Mrs Muriel Mothobi. I think even the first Education Officer, Mrs Agnes Taruvinga rubbed shoulders with Josephine Chikuse. These accolades make her a distinguished cadre from a national and even international perspective.
“She also used to act as DNS during my time and she was always ready to undertake any professional assignments given to her for the love of the profession. Sincere condolences to the members of her immediate family and friends. She will be sadly missed.”
Mrs Chikuse also specialised in Opthalmic Nursing, as one of the first Zimbabwean nurses to receive such training in South Africa.
During her illustrious career, Mrs Chikuse held outstanding positions as a Nurse Educator, Ophthalmic Nurse as well as a member of various committees in the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe Nurses Association.
She will be remembered for her high level of professionalism, academic excellence and impeccable professional decorum.
She was also a member of the Education Liaison Committee of the HPC.
She has many accolades.
Also with the Baby Friendly Initiative, together with Dr Kufa and nutritionist, Lucia Mutowo, they travelled as far as the USA with that programme
To all that worked with her, Mrs Chikuse was a confident, assertive and a luminary cadre in the Nursing Education Discipline
Indeed, Mrs Chikuse was a dedicated and seasoned Nurse Education guru.
