WATCH: Manyangwa shrine: A beacon of tradition loses its long time guardian

GUTONE Thobela Dube, the late keeper of the Manyangwa Rain Mountain shrine in Matabeleland South, passed away on Monday morning at the age of 66.

The Manyangwa shrine, located 30km from Plumtree town along the Plumtree-Ndolwane Road, has significance in Kalanga culture and is well-known for its rainmaking ceremonies. The shrine is also used as a venue for various cultural activities, and people from all walks of life visit it for consultations, guidance, and wisdom.

Dube’s nephew, Twoboy Manyangwa, who is the family spokesperson, confirmed the passing and the funeral arrangements.

“He had been unwell for some time and passed away on Monday at around 9.30am at his homestead. We have been taking him to hospital for some time, but unfortunately his condition did not improve. His condition worsened last week and when I went to see him on Monday morning, he told me that he was going. Wathatha igwayi lakhe wakhuluma lamadlozi wathi usevumile and soon after he breathed his last,” he said.

Dube served as a healer and assisted many people with various problems. He was in charge of monitoring amawosana leZangoma and attended initiations.

As per his wishes, traditional rituals had to be performed before transporting the body to Bulawayo for burial.
Manyangwa said his uncle’s passing leaves a great void in the practice of Kalanga culture and traditions, where he served as a custodian. The late Dube was known for helping many people who sought guidance for various problems.

“My uncle attended to many problems and his home was always full of people who came for assistance. He will be greatly missed, “said Manyangwa.

Gogo Sanelisiwe Ndebele, who is from South Africa and had her problems solved by Dube, will travel to Zimbabwe for the funeral.

“I have ancestral calling and I was having some difficulties in life. I was directed to the shrine in my dreams and stayed there for three weeks. He was a warm hearted person and he attended to me and my issue was solved, and up to now the problems I had are gone. I am in South Africa and we are mobilising to come for the burial as oThobela (people with Whosana ancestral calling),” said Gogo Ndebele.

Anderson Sole Moyo, a trustee with the Kalanga Language Cultural Development Trust, stressed the significance of the Manyangwa shrine, which stretches beyond national borders, and the impact of Dube’s passing.

“His death will hinder development because that shrine plays a critical role. Getting a successor may take time. The custodian is the one who takes people to the mountain to report and brings answers from there. Wosanas from all over the country report there and the custodian is in charge of them. There are many ceremonies which are performed, chief being the rain-making ceremony and the custodian is the one who is in charge of activities,” he said.

Dube is survived by a wife and four children. Mourners are gathered at his homestead in Tjehanga Village. — @themkhust