The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure Senior Reporter
FORMER acting Chief Marange – Gilbert Chikwadombo – who died last Sunday of suspected malaria was buried in a cave in the sacred Mount Makomwe in Nyachityu Village, with requisite traditional and military rituals in recognition to the role he played for 10 years as a traditionalist.
He was 49.
Marange Clan spokesperson, Mr Fungai Marange, said Chikwadombo was granted that respect in recognition for the role he played for 10 years as the custodian of the cultural heritage of the Marange people.
Traditionally, members of the Marange Clan who served on the throne are buried in their ancestral Mt Makomwe. Chikwadombo was not interred at the same shrine with his ancestors, but in the same mountain.
“He held the reigns for 10 years, and we had to accord him the respect he deserves by burying him in a cave in the mountain. Other ordinary members of the family are not accorded that honour, but his case was unique and we interred him in a cave in the ancestral mountain,” said Mr Marange.
Mr Marange said they do not know what killed Chikwadombo, who was a member of the Johanne Marange Apostolic Church.
“The family was only told of his death, never, about his illness. If we had known, perhaps we would have made some interventions. It is a fact that Chikwadombo is late, but we do not know the actual cause of his death. It is speculation that he died of malaria. This is why we cautioned his church to respect us as a family. The church should have been more responsible, taking cognisance of the status of the person that they were trying to help, by communicating his condition to us as his family,” said Mr Marange.
His sentiments were echoed by several headmen who served under the late traditionalist’s 10 year reign. Ishe Musunje, who doubles as the protocol master of the Marange Clan, said Chikwadombo’s reign as acting Chief Marange was not rosy.
“There was nothing Gilbert would do without consulting and involving me. His chieftainship faced many challenges as a lot of spanners were being thrown to impede him, but I am happy, we soldiered on as a team. His death came as a shock, and shrouded with mystery. How can the clan lose such a young man, leaving octogenarians like us? This is not a good thing. It is a pity to the Marange Clan to lose such a vital member prematurely,” said Ishe Mushunje.
The Madziashes (elderly royal princesses) could be heard shouting “makaura”.
Chikwadombo is remembered for serving his area with distinction both as a traditionalist and politician. If one is judged by the number of development projects in the area of his jurisdiction, then the late acting Chief Marange served his subjects well. He represented his people fully and was one rare traditionalist whose leadership qualities could not be questioned.
Addressing mourners, Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Dr Chris Mushohwe, said Chikwadombo left a void difficult to fill. Dr Mushohwe said Chikwadombo had dedicated his life to serve the people politically and traditionally, which justifies why President Mugabe accorded him the liberation hero status.
He explained that such a status is only accorded to true patriots, adding that even the likes of former Vice-President, Dr Joice Mujuru will not get such recognition since she has sold out.
“I know him as someone who was both politically and traditionally correct and worked tirelessly to ensure the development of the Marange area. He was shrewd, and a gift to both Government and Zanu-PF. He was a true leader, a humble and servant leader,” said Dr Mushohwe, adding that he treated all equally.
“I have never seen a traditional leader who was as humble as Gilbert. When you are a chief, you get surrounded by many people, but Gilbert loved all equally. He was a brave and articulate leader. He had a huge family (nine wives and 31 children) but loved them equally and made sure they co-existed,” said Dr Mushohwe.
On development, Dr Mushohwe said: “We built so many schools and clinics with him. We have six clinics that are at different levels of construction. We have many schools that we started building with him. There was no development initiated in this area without his involvement. He was always at the forefront.”
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene, who was represented by the acting Provincial Administrator, Mr Edgars Seenza, said Chikwadombo was revered for his hard work and urged mourners to emulate his good exploits.
Family spokesperson, Mr Farai Marange, said Chikwadombo’s death was both shocking and unbelievable. He was born on June 14, 1968 and did his primary education at Makomwe Primary School before enrolling at Nharira High School. He served as acting Chief Marange from 2006 to October 2016.
He joined Zanu-PF in 1989 as a branch chairman and the following year was elected the district youth chair. In 1990, he rose to become the secretary for administration in the then disbanded District Coordinating Committee (DCC).
In 2013, he was elected into the Zanu-PF provincial executive and served as its secretary for gender and culture. During his reign as acting chief, he was instrumental in the construction of St Noah primary and secondary schools as well as the establishment of the Marange-Zimunya Community Share Trust.
