Chronicle Editor
Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor
EXCITEMENT roared and echoed beyond the tents that were pitched as scores of people whistled, ululated and cheered in melodious unison as President Mnangagwa presented the new Chief Maduna with a lion’s head and skin to officially signal the genesis of his imperious reign in the heart of Insiza District in Matabeleland South.
The newly-installed chief became the first chief in Zimbabwe’s history whose installation was presided over by the country’s Head of State. In addition to the lion skin and head, President Mnangagwa brought Chief Maduna even closer to the country’s wildlife by donating a pair of leopard skins and trophy.
“Chief Maduna I am a Shumba, that is my totem, I am giving you this lion’s skin. I am also giving you two leopards’ skins plus their trophy plus a briefcase where you will put your papers, hanti uyakwazi ukuthi ngiyiNgwenya mina, this briefcase is made of crocodile skin. According to my tradition, as the son of Chief Mapanzure, the chief is given the lion’s skin and the junior chiefs get two leopard skins, today I brought with me one leopard skin, I will send Tourism Minister, Mangaliso Ndlovu with the other one,” said President Mnangagwa.
During a day in which gifts that seemed only fit for royalty were shared, Vice-President Chiwenga donated US$10 000, while Zanu-PF Vice-President Cde Kembo Mohadi also made a similar donation plus five heifers.
Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration Dr Obert Mpofu also made a donation of five heifers to the chief whose herd continued to grow exponentially in a single afternoon. This was the story of a man who not so long ago was a teacher and later a chartered accountant, Mr Dambisamahubo Mafu, who yesterday was installed as the new Chief Maduna at Dekezi High School in Filabusi.
Mr Mafu has been acting Chief Maduna following the death of his father Chief Vezi Maduna Mafu in February 2021. Born in the Kaizen Godlwayo Communal Lands in Insiza, Chief Maduna is a holder of a Chartered Accounting Certificate from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administration of Southern Africa and a Diploma in Education from Hillside Teachers’ College.
The chief attended Mkwabeni Primary School before going to Mkwabeni Secondary School. For his A-level, he went to Matopo High School before enrolling at Hillside Teachers’ College. He served the nation in the education sector, where he taught in several schools, including at St Joseph’s, and also worked at companies such as Netcom Solutions, World Vision South Africa, Amtec Motors and Willsgrove Ware Pottery. He held senior managerial positions in some of these companies as accounting manager, as well as finance and human resources manager.
Following his retirement, he is now an established farmer in Insiza. Speaking after his installation, the new Chief Maduna said he was humbled and excited with the challenge that had been bestowed upon him. He vowed to continue from where his father left off in the uplifting of the Godlwayo area.
“I am humbled and grateful for this day. Seeing the entire Godlwayo gathered here together with the entire Zimbabwe, just to install me is quite humbling. Having President Mnangagwa come here shows us that the importance and heroism of the Godlwayo clan is not standing still but it is growing for all to see. Godlwayo itself was established by heroes and it is clear that heroism is still in existence after seeing the biggest hero in our nation President Mnangagwa coming to pay homage to the people of Godlwayo,” said Chief Maduna.
The Chief said Godlwayo was all about culture and as a traditional leader his task was to ensure that the culture remains intact and recognised by its people.
“What I must tell the nation and the entire world is that as the people from Godlwayo we will remain steadfast and resilient. Godlwayo will continue existing and become even stronger. Our culture is us and we are the very culture hence we will continue to be united and uplift the people of Godlwayo,” he said.
Bongani Ndlovu