Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
CHIEF Marupi from Gwanda District in Matabeleland South who died over the weekend is set to be buried at his rural home on Sunday.
The late youthful chief died on Sunday evening while admitted at Healthpoint Hospital in Harare after a short illness.
He was 28 and is survived by wife, Rorisang Tlou. Born Oaheng Nare, Chief Marupi was installed in 2012 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. Chief Marupi was born on February 26, 1996 and did his primary education at Selonga Primary School. He could not further his education due to financial problems after the death of his father.
A family representative, Mr Chris Marupi said the late chief will be buried at his rural home in Mbuzimbili area.
“The body of the late chief is set to be collected from Harare tomorrow as we are currently awaiting the post-mortem report,” he said.
“We expect the body in Gwanda Town on Saturday morning and then in the evening it will be taken to his rural home for burial on Sunday morning.
“We are at a great loss as a family as we haven’t only lost the head of the family but a young life.
“We were looking forward to Oaheng’s leadership for the family, as well as the community. His passing away has left us in great shock as we were looking forward to his recovery and return home,” said Mr Marupi.
He said the family appreciates the support shown by the community and other stakeholders since the passing of the late chief.
The Marupi chieftainship dates back to a man named Daueatswala, of the Babirwa tribe, which when crossed Shashe River from Botswana composed of Kalanga and Venda people.
Daueatsoala was succeeded by Makhure whose eldest son Makale succeeded him. During Makale’s reign the tribe moved to Gubadu area near the confluence of Shashani and Shashe rivers in Botswana.
When Makale died, Silike took over and the tribe crossed Shashe River again and settled in Nehaka Makhure, Dibilashaba.
Silike was murdered by the Ndebele warriors, an incident that was condemned by King Lobengula who then summoned Mbulutsi to Bulawayo and installed him as chief.
Mbulutsi was succeeded by Marupi who when he died in 1943, could not be succeeded by his son who was too young and physically challenged.
A headman’s son acted for a year before he died also. Marapela, the younger brother to Marupi, took over and ruled until his death in 1974 when the chieftainship reverted back to the Makhure house.
Mtateho, the eldest son of Makhure, ruled from 1976 to 1991 when he was relieved of his duties.
His eldest son Lawrence Silike Nare succeeded him in 1994 until his death in 2008, and was then succeeded by his eldest son Oaheng.
The main languages spoken in the area are iSiNdebele and SeSotho.
-@DubeMatutu
Online Reporter