Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
VETERAN Beitbridge educationist and one of the community stalwarts who pushed for the inclusion of the TshiVenda language in the country’s education curriculum, Murunwa Siphuma (85), who died on Christmas Day, has been laid to rest at his rural home in the Tshapfutshe area of Beitbridge.
Scores of mourners, among them traditional leaders, politicians, professionals, Government officials and language enthusiasts, gathered at his homestead, giving colourful eulogies during the burial service on Sunday.
The former headmaster is credited with contributing to the improvement of pass rates in most schools around Beitbridge and grooming various leaders in the education sector.
Speakers recalled his hard work, tracing back to his school days, and praised his passion for equity in education.
His tireless efforts to integrate the TshiVenda language into the Ministry of Education syllabus remain his most enduring contribution.
“This is a man we will greatly remember for his passion in seeing the quality of education improve in our community and he is also one of the elders we worked with in pushing for the inclusion of the TshiVenda language in our country’s education curriculum and at Great Zimbabwe University. It was not easy, but here we have made history,” said another educationist, Mr Ntshavheni Simutha Ndou.
South African-based educationist and former broadcaster, Professor Thavhiso Muswede, credited his success to the guidance of the late Siphuma.
Senator for Beitbridge, Cde Tambudzani Mohadi, said the late educationist lived an ordinary life, although he was a fountain of wisdom who had a keen interest in the development of the TshiVenda language.
She said the community had lost a great man who was passionate about the improvement of the quality of education.
“We should emulate his legacy. He is one of the people who took investment in education seriously,” said Beitbridge Rural District Council chairperson, Cllr Oscar Chiromo.
“It’s important that as children we take our children to school until they realise their potential, regardless of gender.
“Here lies a man who believed in equity in education and lived by the word. He made sure all his children, male and female get equal opportunities in education and groomed most of the professionals we are seeing here today.”
Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Albert Nguluvhe, who is also Beitbridge East legislator, said besides having a passion for education, the late educationist played an active role in supporting the war of liberation in the district.
He praised him for playing a leading role in fighting for the recognition of the TshiVenda language in the national education curriculum.
Minister Nguluvhe said there was a strong need for the community to continue working with the Government in improving access and the quality of education in the district.
“We need to celebrate the legacy of this man and at the same time, as the Government, we intend to build more science laboratories in the province so that we have more of our children taking up and excelling in STEM subjects,” he said. “This will enable them to compete fairly with those from other provinces when pursuing better careers,” said the Minister.
Director of Engineering at the Municipality of Beitbridge, Douglas Siphuma, son of the late educationist, said the family was humbled by the support and the huge send-off accorded to his departed father.
The former headmaster is survived by his wife and eight children and several grandchildren.
