The Sunday News
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
WITH more than six decades as chief, she may probably be the longest serving traditional leader in the country, more importantly a woman chief, having assumed the role at the tender age of 13 in 1962.
Her demeanour is very unassuming. She is humble and carries an air of warmth around her.
One would assume she is just an ordinary elderly woman of no important influence, but the 75-year-old Ms Ottilia Chimukoko, who is Chief Chimukoko of Mudzi in Mashonaland East Province is revered and remains an epitome of humility and a true representative of an African woman.
She wears a warm and dignified smile that can easily be mistaken for a grin while the wrinkles on the corners of her eyes betrays the longevity of life that comes with the wisdom that she dishes out when she talks.
She is very soft-spoken and commands a lot of power and respect, despite her small stature.
Chief Chimukoko is straight to the point when she responds. She is not the kind to go beyond your enquiries in a conversation, something that betrays her steely inside.
Clad in a long African print dress, with all her hair tucked neatly into a matching doek, she is a true representative of an African mother – a leader.
Sunday News caught up with Chief Chimukoko at the Traditional Chiefs Conference in Bulawayo on Wednesday.
During the interview, the chief was very economic with words and had to be coaxed to reveal more about herself and her duties.
“I am Chief Chimukoko from Mudzi in Mashonaland East Province, I have been a chief for a long time, having been installed in 1962 when I was 13. The tradition according to our chieftainship is that of the two houses that are there, one installs men while ours installs females as chiefs.
“So when the turn arrived for my father’s house to be installed I was chosen, but I was young then, so my father was the one who stood in my place to assist in presiding over issues. This only changed when I reached the age of 22 and I carried out my role as the chief fully,” she said.
Asked how the journey has been, Chief Chimukoko said she had managed to do the best she could from that time.
“Well, I believe I have been doing my best. I took each day as it comes and do all that I can and yes, progressively, I have managed to carry out my roles. I was and still am alive to the fact that I have no monopoly of knowledge and so, I often consult those older than me for direction and it has been of much help,” she said.
Despite being raised in a patriarchal society, Chief Chimukoko recognises gender equality and says, she together with her male counterparts work together in harmony without anyone belittling her for being a leader in a predominantly male environment.
“They are not a problem, neither do I feel challenged by the male dominated environment of traditional leadership. Tingori machief mabodzi varume nevakadzi takangosangana, zvakangofanana hapana chakasiyana (they do not trouble me, we are equal, both male and female chiefs, and they appreciate that). Of course, I do meet one or two who are hostile and that’s normal. In Mudzi we are only two female chiefs and others are in Matabeleland,” she said.
In Matabeleland South there are three female chiefs, Ndube of Insiza, Mathe of Gwanda and Mabhena of Umzingwane.
When asked how she felt about having more female chiefs in Zimbabwe, she lit up and answered in the affirmative.
“Anditi takanzi tiyenzane, ehe ka, ndikokuyenzana kwacho! (there are calls for gender equality, that is the equality that we want),” she said.
Chief Chimukoko lamented the scourge of child marriages that she said was rife in her district.
“This is the most common of our challenge, of girls who are eloping at a tender age. These girls do not want to come back when we try to talk them back.
“We do not know what is happening in our communities these days. You find a Grade Seven learner eloping, even Grade Six learners are doing the same, and we do not understand the problems that are making them elope.
“Even when you try to tell them to return to school, it is futile. They only come back home when they have separated from their boyfriends and now want to return home, they become open to dialogue and we encourage them to go back to school,” said Chief Chimukoko.
During the sensitisation and training of chiefs on marriages and inheritance, it was highlighted that chiefs, who are now marriage officers as per the Marriages Act, will play a role in ensuring that child marriages are curbed by demanding that the couple produces their national identity documents that confirm their ages.
Chief Chimukoko sang praises for the Second Republic for continued efforts to promote gender equality.
“Our President has done well to stress that women must do jobs that are also done by men, it’s a good thing and we are happy that he has made effective stride that make it possible for gender equality in many areas to thrive,” she said.
A fellow chief from Uzumba Maramba-Pfungwe also in Mashonaland East said Chief Chimukoko is a great leader and is morally upright.
“I wish all females who are installed as chiefs behave like Chief Chimukoko, to live long and be morally upright. In Mashonaland East, she is the longest-serving female chief, we live and work amicably with her. We respect her, she is our mother and we always consult her for direction all the time as an elder. She also serves as a good pointer of a woman who is doing great work as a female chief and leaving a good impression for generations to come. We are happy that we have female leaders like her,” said Chief Chinhanga. – @NyembeziMu
