True meaning of riches: Father of 40 finds joy in his large family

FOR Mr Frank Kaitano, wealth isn’t measured in material possessions. At 64, he finds his true riches in the vastness of his family. A proud polygamist with seven wives, Mr Kaitano, a member of the Johanne Marange Apostolic Church, cherishes his legacy — 44 biological children, all his own.

Chronicle recently caught up with Mr Kaitano during his work trip to Bulawayo, where he was securing milk for his employer. A dedicated truck driver since 1980, he also juggles the responsibilities of a communal farmer back in Karoi.

During the conversation, Mr Kaitano openly shared his perspective, highlighting the immense value he sees in his large family. He even goes so far as to describe himself as “filthy rich” due to the sheer number of children he has fathered.

“I am a rich man. Not in terms of monetary or materialistic possessions, but in the true riches given upon me by God, which is the wealth of bearing many children, akin to the grains of sand in the oceans, as the Bible pronounces,” he said.

Mr Kaitano’s family extends far beyond his 44 children. He revealed that sadly, four have passed away, leaving him with 40. The vastness of his family extends even further with an estimated 160 or more grandchildren, a number he admits to finding difficult to keep track of.

“I was blessed with 44 children, and sadly, four have passed away. Among them, 11 are from my first wife, seven from my second, nine from my third, eight from my fourth, five from my fifth, and two each from my sixth and seventh wives, respectively. I have many grandchildren whom I think are approximately 160 or more.

“My family is united, devoid of conflicts, as I’ve instilled principles of real family life within us. We share a common goal of unity and togetherness, adhering to the fabric of familial values. We attend the Johanne Marange Apostolic Church, in compliance with our church doctrine,” said Mr Kaitano.

Mr Kaitano dismissed a common misconception that followers of the Johanne Marange Apostolic Church, like himself, do not prioritise education for their children.