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Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
TO someone who has never witnessed the royal installation of a traditional leader, the process seems weird, but alas, this is how the Mutasa clan celebrates the ascendency of one of their own.
From people carrying heads of slain black beasts on their heads to men in kilts (skirts) playing melodious tunes on their Gemshorn flutes, the installation of Headwoman Mupotedzi, Ms Idah Mutasa, was a spectacle that left dignitaries and invited guests clamouring for more.
The attendance of this royal event is an honour reserved to members of the Mutasa royal family and a few other invited guests.
Elderly women, related to Headwoman Mupotedzi, sang profanities and performed some rituals as the headwoman’s nephew beat the traditional shima drum.
As she walked to take her position on the podium, Headwoman Mupotedzi was covered with a white cloth, while elderly women surrounded her.
They ululated, sang and danced to the slow rhythm of the shima drum.Headwoman Mupotedzi only walked on traditional chitenje material until she sat on a reed mat facing Acting Chief Mutasa.
The chief had the honour to unveil her face to the gathered crowd.
Ululations and jubilation followed as people congratulated the unveiled new leader.
This, according to Acting Chief Mutasa, is done to preserve the clan’s traditions and customs.
Phones and cameras are not allowed during such proceedings.
“The shima drum is not played at any other occasion in Mutasa. It is only played on special occasions, which could be the funeral of a Chief, a Headman, Head woman or Village Head or during their installation. It is not just any drum, but a royal one, which is sacred in this area,” he said.
Borrowing from the Bible in which Samuel poured some oil on David as he anointed him as the future king, Acting Chief Mutasa did the same in anointing Headwoman Mupotedzi.
“May you help me lead the Mutasa people with wisdom and knowledge. This is your birthright and it is your duty to unite the people of Mutasa and enable peace to reign,” he said while anointing her.
In an interview, Acting Chief Mutasa said according to the customs and traditions of the Mutasa people, only women can ascend to the Mupotedzi headmanship.
This is traced back to the reign of the late Chief Tendai Chifambausiku Mutasa of the 19th century.
Chief Tendai Chifambausiku Mutasa gifted one of his daughters with the crown for the Mupotedzi area.
He ordered that only females could preside over the area.
“The Headwoman we have installed today is the fifth Headwoman to occupy this throne ever since our great-grandfather, Chief Tendai Chifambausiku Mutasa gifted it to his daughter. Before her was Headwoman Angular Chironda who sadly passed away in 2016. So Idah has been acting ever since the death of her aunt,” he said.
He said Mutasa has the highest number of females in traditional leadership as directed by Chief Tendai Chifambausiku Mutasa who knew and respected the importance of women empowerment.
Acting Chief Mutasa said his forefather gifted his daughters Muparutsa, Mupotedzi, Sherukuru, Manunure, Hwisa, Chikanga, Murehwa and Neuta with areas to rule back then.
However, only Muparutsa and Mupotedzi are substantive Headwomen, while the rest no longer have areas of jurisdiction due to colonialism.
“He saw it fit for women to be in decision making positions. We have two substantive Headwomen — Muparutsa and Mupotedzi, but we also have seven shadow Headwomen (vazvare) whose leadership was revoked by the colonial settlers. We are trying to resuscitate this,” he said.
The seven are always present when the Mutasa royal family conducts its rituals and meetings while being recognised as Headwomen.
As a gender champion, Acting Chief Mutasa is not relenting in ensuring that women occupy influential leadership positions.
Headwoman Mupotedzi was born on April 30, 1970 at Old Mutare Mission Hospital in a family of eight children. She was the first born child. She did her primary education at St James Zongoro in Mutasa and Dangare Primary School in Sakubva, Mutare, before proceeding for her secondary school education at Ellis Gledhill Secondary School, also in Sakubva.
After passing her Ordinary Level, the Headwoman enrolled at Mutare Teachers’ College where she trained as a secondary school teacher.
After graduating, she taught at schools across Manicaland, including Masvaure, Kute and Ngarura Secondary Schools.
In 2021, she was promoted to become the head at Mt Jenya Secondary School in Mutasa, a position she still holds.
“This only happened after I had graduated from Great Zimbabwe University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. I am a proud single mother who has four children and eight grandchildren. To women out there, success only comes through hard work,” said Headwoman Mupotedzi in an interview with The Manica Post.
A divorced mother of four university graduates, whom she all educated single-handedly, Headwoman Mupotedzi believes in empowering the girl child through education.
“When I got divorced, I was very young and had nowhere to turn to, but I turned to education. My ex-husband did not allow me to re-write my Ordinary Level examinations when I failed, but after our separation, I re-wrote them and passed. I proceeded to Mutare Teachers’ College where I graduated with a Diploma in Education. I proceeded to university afterwards because I knew that I was on my own and had to man up for my family,” she said.
Headwoman Mupotedzi is looking forward to enrol for a second degree.Since 2016, she has spearheaded a number of developmental projects in the area, which include the setting up of a community development centre.
She has also been fighting child marriages as well as drug and substance abuse among youths.
Representing Local Government and Public Works Minister, Dr July Moyo, director of Local Government and Public Works in the Office of the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr John Misi handed the newly installed Headwoman a watch and a badge of honour, before installing her to her new position.
He also handed her copies of the Traditional Leaders’ Act and the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
“The day is not only important to the Mupotedzi area and the Mutasa family, but also to the Government of Zimbabwe. It shows that as Zimbabweans, we still value our heritage, traditions and customs.
“Government is working tirelessly to ensure that women are equally represented in all decision making positions, so this is a welcome move. It is also in line with Vision 2030,” he said.
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