Chief Nhlamba buried

Bruce Ndlovu in Gwanda

THERE were tears and smiles in equal measure in Garanyemba, Gwanda District yesterday as Chief Nhlamba was laid to rest, with villagers and dignitaries mourning his loss while celebrating his work ethic and achievements as a traditional leader in the area.

Chief Nhlamba, who died last weekend after a long illness at the age of 75, was granted a State-assisted burial and laid to rest at his rural home in Garanyemba. Born Dennis Ndlovu, Chief Nhlamba was installed on 16 July 2010 and had served the traditional leadership institution for 12 years. 

Standing-in for Vice-President Chiwenga, who paid a call to the bereaved family on Friday, Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo said the Government was eager to see the continuation of the projects that had been initiated by the late chief. 

Chief Nhlamba has been credited for mobilising the community to participate in the construction of Tuli-Manyange Dam while he was also a member of the anti-stock theft unit. Construction of Tuli-Manyange Dam is gathering pace, with works on the main dam having started. In order to see the late chief’s vision, come to life, Minister Moyo encouraged the Nhlamba family to shun squabbles that might arise as they sought to install a successor. 

“The chief mourner was here yesterday and he was part of the people as they mourned their chief. Today I’m here to finish the job that he started and that is to observe and hold hands with the people as they pay their final respects to their chief. In as much as I’m just another ordinary citizen mourning our chief, I’m also here representing Government due to my position. I heard others saying that they want a chief installed quickly so that things continue to flow smoothly but as Government we are saying that there is no gap.

“I was speaking to Chief Khumalo earlier and we were in agreement that after we leave, the family should be given space to deliberate and handle its affairs so that someone is appointed as a stand-in chief up until such a time when the substantive chief is appointed. There’s no gap: In our culture, there’s a saying that says that a chief is born and not appointed. We don’t want a gap and the cases that he was presiding over should be concluded while the things that he was working on should also continue. It is important that the family makes sure that this role is taken up,” he said.

Minister Moyo encouraged the Nhlamba family to work closely together in the aftermath of the chief’s death. 

In a light-hearted manner, Minister Moyo disclosed his affinity for Garanyemba and other areas under Chief Nhlamba. 

“I encourage the chief’s wife, my mother MaSiziba, to be strong through this trying time and work closely with whoever will be appointed to take over. After the Cabinet meeting, the President said we have lost our people and that’s why he sent VP Chiwenga to Lupane, after that, he was to come here because we had lost another one of our chiefs. 

“For those that were not here, the chief mourner was here to deliver the most important remarks from the President and also to hold hands with the family and community through this dark time. We as people of Mberengwa have a strong relationship with the people of Manama. One of the reasons is that schools like Manama and Chegato are all Lutheran Schools. During our time we were also coming to Manama to look for girls so to Minister Ncube (Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister) I want to say I’m a permanent mkhwenyana in your area,” he said.

Vice-President of the Chief’s Council, Chief Mtshane Khumalo also encouraged the Nhlamba family to shun division. 

“Last week in Lupane, we were burying one of our own again and it seems that death has decided to visit us as chiefs and traditional leaders but as someone here said, it is the Lord’s will and there’s nothing we can do about it. We hope that all the work that he has been doing will be continued by the headman and the village heads until such a time that someone is appointed to take over from him. These days, it seems that when a chief passes away, there is chaos as people fight about who exactly takes over from him. 

“Sometimes the fights are started by the villagers themselves and sometimes the fights emanate from us as traditional leaders. But I trust everyone knows how a new chief should be installed and who should take over. Even if you ask a small child, they will tell you this is how the chief in this area is supposed to come to power. 

However, we end up doing things in our own way and distorting tradition. My request as members of the Chief’s Council is that we should not be the ones encouraging chaos in the family of the one who is supposed to take over. It is my fervent hope that the Nhlamba family will not embarrass like other families in other places who end up on each other’s throats when the issue of succession comes along,” he said.