The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube in Marange
83-YEAR-OLD Bernard Makungauta Murwira was yesterday officially installed as the 19th substantive Chief Marange at a colourful installation ceremony held at Nharira Secondary School in Mutare District.
The Marange area did not have a substantive chief for the past 11 years following the death of Chikawavadombo Mastic Marange on September 8, 2005.
The 11-year quagmire, according to Minister of Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National Culture and Heritage, Cde Abednico Ncube, who was the guest of honour, put to bed an “unfortunate situation” which had caused “serious governance challenges” because the Marange clan members could not agree on a candidate.
Marange Chieftainship has a unique and different succession custom comparing to most chieftainships in that the eldest surviving “father” without any blemishes (loosely translated in vernacular as zvipomerwa) becomes chief. It follows therefore that if the eldest “father” has blemishes, the next eldest “father” ascends to the chieftainship in the descending order.
Subsequently, Mr Murwira was nominated as the only eldest surviving “father” without blemishes.
“As a result, His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe, Cde Robert Mugabe appointed him as a substantive Chief Marange on October 20 this year. I am quite aware that there are some people who may wish to object and continue to contest the appointment of Bernard Murwira despite the fact that countless meetings to resolve the dispute were held. That will not come as a surprise to us as a closer scrutiny at the history of chieftainships in Zimbabwe can tempt one to safely surmise that disputes are inevitable in Shona collateral succession custom because it technically entitles almost every male member of the clan equal chance to ascend to the chieftainship,” said Cde Ncube.
Bernard Murwira, an ex-detainee who was detained in various detention centres across Rhodesia between 1974 and 1976 later rose through the ranks to become an assessor of the High Court in Mutare in 1994.
Cde Ncube implored Murwira to partake in council meetings, saying chiefs as custodians of culture have a vested interest in council business to ensure that council resolution do not negatively impinge on local traditional values and practices.
“Again, Chief Marange, you are expected to respond positively to modern challenges including drought relief coordination, environmental management issues, assisting in resolving boundary disputes and combating the deadly HIV and Aids pandemic and child marriages,” he added before handing Chief Marange a seal and badge.
The new chief was also pampered with gifts – in cash and kind – by villagers, village heads, headmen as well as Minister Ncube who handed him $200.
Ecstatic villagers interviewed expressed confidence in the newly-installed chief saying his coming in would bring peace and tranquility in the area.
“At least our traditional leaders will now focus on development and progress since the issue of succession disputes had been drawing most of us back. We are happy it has been resolved now. We are confident that his coming in will be a blessing and hopefully he will help us fight poverty among other ills bedevilling us,” said Tatenda Muchena from Matanda Village.
Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Dr Chris Mushohwe, who is also the member of the National Assembly for Mutare West, graced the occasion.
Ends
