Veteran Shangaan educationist dies

Tawanda Mangoma in Chiredzi
The Shangaan community has lost one of its leading and dedicated educationists and author, Mr Phillip Chauke (55), who played a pivotal role in making sure the Shangaan language is taught and examined up to university level in Zimbabwe.

A key proponent of the Shangaan culture, Mr Chauke, who was chairman of the Shangaan Promotion Association, succumbed to pneumonia on Tuesday.

Speaking at his burial at Mupakati Village in Chiredzi South constituency yesterday, family spokesperson Mr John Mark Chauke described his brother as a selfless cadre who fought hard for the upliftment of marginalised communities.

“Philip Jackson Chauke popularly known as PJ was born at Chikombedzi Mission Hospital and started his primary education at Chikombedzi Primary School in 1970 and later completed his Grade 7 at Chitanga Primary School in Mwenezi,” he said.

“He did his secondary education at Lundi High School and later enrolled at Bondolfi Teacher’s College as a primary school teacher from 1984 to 1986.

“After graduating, he taught in several schools in and around Chiredzi district. He later furthered his education that took him for special education at United College of Education in 1996.”

His workmate and colleague Mr Herbert Pikela said his first encounter with the late Mr Chauke was at university where he pushed for the university to introduce Shangaan language at degree level.

“My first encounter with PJ was at Masvingo State University now Great Zimbabwe University,” he said.
“Then, he was the vice chairperson of Shangaan Promotion Association and led negotiations with then vice chancellor Professor Obert Maravanyika so that Shangaan could be introduced at degree level.

‘’He became the chairperson of the association and was instrumental in the writing of the first Shangaan text book titled Hluvuko wa Hina. He contributed immensely in workshops on guidance and counselling for both primary and secondary schools.”

At the time of his untimely death, Mr Chauke was a remedial tutor at Chiredzi district education inspectors office.
He is survived by his wife Mrs Fungai Edna Chauke and three daughters.

Shangaan is spoken by a tribe predominantly settled in the south-eastern parts of Zimbabwe and have their origins in neighbouring South Africa as part of the Nguni people.