News / National
Pomp and fanfare as Chief Negomo is installed
13 Mar 2022 at 04:00hrs | Views
THOUSANDS of people yesterday attended the installation of Mr Paradzai Kutyauripo as the 13th substantive Chief Negomo of Mazowe District, Mashonaland Central Province at a glittering ceremony attended by President Mnangagwa, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, top Government officials and several traditional chiefs.
First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa helps her sister in law Ms Emma Mnangagwa (big sister to President Mnangagwa) during the installation of Chief Negomo (Mr Paradzayi Kutyauripo) while President Mnangagwa looks on in Chiweshe yesterday.
The First Lady, who is the chief's blood sister, left guests and other dignitaries awestruck when she knelt as she introduced the President and his sister, who travelled all the way from Bikita, to attend the ceremony.
The mother of the nation drew laughter from the cheering crowd when she jokingly chronicled her heydays with the President.
"Today, I have come with my husband to my rural home. I have brought the man who married me from this village in years gone by. I have come to grace the occasion because I no longer live among you as I now stay where I was married," she said in jest.
"Tete varipano nhasi, she is the eldest aunt in our home kwaMnangagwa. She came all the way from Bikita and said she could not miss this auspicious occasion," said Amai Mnangagwa in reference to her sister-in-law.
An elderly man from the clan chronicled the history of the Negomo chieftainship of the Moyondizvo totem, which was first occupied by Chiodzamamera who was also known as Mugumo.
"Chiodzamamera had three sons – Mutasa, Zhenjeni and Muroro.
"Mutasa was also known as Mutopori. Mutopori had no son and as such did not ascend to the chieftainship. Zhenjeni and Muroro are the two houses eligible for the Negomo chieftainship," he said.
He added: "Today, the chieftainship we are installing is from the house of Muroro. Muroro had two sons called Chimukwende or Hwende and Nyamuparuri. Nyamuparuri later relocated to Shamva. Chimukwende had two children, Gorejena and Masvaure. Masvaure died at a tender age. Gorejena had eight children and his eldest children were Zhakata, Katera, Cheza, Mupfunya, Mutyambizi, Bonde, Damiso, Magunje and Dandara."
"Yesterday's chieftainship was the 13th from the house of Mupfunya. Mupfunya had young brothers – Makumbe, Chinanzvavana and Chimberengwa. Some chiefs in the Negomo Chieftainship included Chiodzamamera, Zhenje, Nyahunzvi, Muguse, Gorejena, Mupfunya, Sanike or Gombera, Mutekwa, Chipiro and Inke. Today we are installing Paradzai Kutyauripo Chinanzvavana."
The ceremony was presided over by Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo. There was a cultural procession from the First Lady's home to the venue where the First Lady, as the senior aunt, led the procession with other elderly family members and daughters-in-law.
They were all carrying clay pots on their heads with matching doeks and waist cloths.
The procession included the spirit medium of the area, Tateguru Nyikadzino Mugumo.
Yesterday's ceremony, Minister Moyo said, sought to concretise the appointment that was made by the President on February 6 and accord the subjects an opportunity to witness the installation of their chief.
"Mr Paradzai Kutyauripo was born on August 13,1968 at Rosa Clinic here in Chiweshe. From 1976 to 1979 he did his primary education at Kakora Primary School in Chiweshe. Between 1983-1986 he did his high school at Kutama College in Zvimba," the Minister said.
Up to now 12 chiefs have ascended to the Negomo Chieftainship throne with Mr Kutyauripo being the 13th. Presently, Chief Negomo's area of jurisdiction covers Nzvimbo, Shopo, Shutu, Nyakudya, Gweshe, Rosa, Kanyemba, Mokodzongi, Belrock Majome, among other areas.
"Let me take this opportunity to thank the former acting chief for holding fort and executing his duties during his tenure," the Minister added.
Minister Moyo said traditional leaders were chosen by their own clans in accordance with their customs, traditions and norms.
"The Government does not impose a chief on a clan as this would be against both the prevailing succession customs and traditions of respective chieftaincies and the laws of the country," he said.
The Minister urged all chiefs to champion community development programmes and projects and to maintain among their people the spirit of peace as peace was one of the building blocks for achieving equitable and sustainable national development.
"I look forward to seeing the new Chief Negomo taking a leading role in supporting the various Government programmes. By the same token, I urge all the people to rally behind the new chief and render him all the respect and support. As Government, we expect a harmonious relationship between the chief and his people for peace and development to prevail," he said to applause.
Over hundred village heads pledged their allegiance to the chief and vowed to support and work well with him.
President Mnangagwa handed over 120 bicycles to the village heads. Chiefs Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira urged the incoming chief to lead by example and dispense justice.
"We congratulate you heartily because of this installation. The work you have been given belongs to God. A Chief has powers like a magistrate and a judge. Chiefs have enforcement powers and when you are fined please comply because there is no recourse. I also urge you to conserve the environment in your area of jurisdiction," he said.
Chief Charumbira urged the new chief to take a leaf from the First Lady and work for the people. President Mnangagwa implored the incoming chief to be fair, transparent and just.
"Coming back to my in-law who has been installed chief, you have heard the counsel from the president of the Chief's council and Chief Senator Matsiwo who leads chiefs here. We want to hear that you dispense justice. Matters must be resolved in a manner that pleases the people without corruption or favour. You must be fair, transparent and show no favouritism. When one is wrong, they are wrong and one who has done nothing wrong, has done nothing wrong. I believe for your ancestors to let you get the post, they would have assessed your heart. There are 300 chiefs in the country and there is no area without one. If we combine these areas of jurisdiction, that is Zimbabwe and if every chief dispenses justice, the nation will be on the correct path. While we are at the top, we believe that you will be representing us well. Ndinoshuvira kutonga kwakanaka kuna tezvara wangu," he said.
The President, who was accompanied by his sister, said: "Ava vatete varipano is the eldest in our family where I come third behind her. After hearing that the Negomo chieftainship had come to the Chinanzvavana family, she offered to come along and support me hence her presence here. She is the eldest in the Mnangagwa family."
The installation was welcomed by scores of people, including the secretary for the new chief, Mr Maxwell Chasakwa.
"We expect that the chief will discharge his duties in a fair manner. Firstly, a chief supports Government programmes including National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1). The chief will look at cultural issues in his area of jurisdiction. The chief will also look at the environment and the people's way of life. He will dissuade people from living on wetlands and other inappropriate places.
"The chief will see to it that people live in peace including the welfare of women. We also expect the chief to rule in conference with the law and cultural norms of his area," he said.
Mr Rodrick Nyikadzino, speaking on behalf of the spirit medium Tateguru Mugumo, expressed gratitude for the installation ceremony.
"We feel honoured that this ceremony has come to pass and has been witnessed by over 15 000 people," he said, adding that the spirit mediums had okayed the ceremony as seen by the handing over of a knobkerrie to the new chief.
Different traditional groups provided entertainment. The newly-installed chief was showered with gifts.
First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa helps her sister in law Ms Emma Mnangagwa (big sister to President Mnangagwa) during the installation of Chief Negomo (Mr Paradzayi Kutyauripo) while President Mnangagwa looks on in Chiweshe yesterday.
The First Lady, who is the chief's blood sister, left guests and other dignitaries awestruck when she knelt as she introduced the President and his sister, who travelled all the way from Bikita, to attend the ceremony.
The mother of the nation drew laughter from the cheering crowd when she jokingly chronicled her heydays with the President.
"Today, I have come with my husband to my rural home. I have brought the man who married me from this village in years gone by. I have come to grace the occasion because I no longer live among you as I now stay where I was married," she said in jest.
"Tete varipano nhasi, she is the eldest aunt in our home kwaMnangagwa. She came all the way from Bikita and said she could not miss this auspicious occasion," said Amai Mnangagwa in reference to her sister-in-law.
An elderly man from the clan chronicled the history of the Negomo chieftainship of the Moyondizvo totem, which was first occupied by Chiodzamamera who was also known as Mugumo.
"Chiodzamamera had three sons – Mutasa, Zhenjeni and Muroro.
"Mutasa was also known as Mutopori. Mutopori had no son and as such did not ascend to the chieftainship. Zhenjeni and Muroro are the two houses eligible for the Negomo chieftainship," he said.
He added: "Today, the chieftainship we are installing is from the house of Muroro. Muroro had two sons called Chimukwende or Hwende and Nyamuparuri. Nyamuparuri later relocated to Shamva. Chimukwende had two children, Gorejena and Masvaure. Masvaure died at a tender age. Gorejena had eight children and his eldest children were Zhakata, Katera, Cheza, Mupfunya, Mutyambizi, Bonde, Damiso, Magunje and Dandara."
"Yesterday's chieftainship was the 13th from the house of Mupfunya. Mupfunya had young brothers – Makumbe, Chinanzvavana and Chimberengwa. Some chiefs in the Negomo Chieftainship included Chiodzamamera, Zhenje, Nyahunzvi, Muguse, Gorejena, Mupfunya, Sanike or Gombera, Mutekwa, Chipiro and Inke. Today we are installing Paradzai Kutyauripo Chinanzvavana."
The ceremony was presided over by Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo. There was a cultural procession from the First Lady's home to the venue where the First Lady, as the senior aunt, led the procession with other elderly family members and daughters-in-law.
They were all carrying clay pots on their heads with matching doeks and waist cloths.
The procession included the spirit medium of the area, Tateguru Nyikadzino Mugumo.
Yesterday's ceremony, Minister Moyo said, sought to concretise the appointment that was made by the President on February 6 and accord the subjects an opportunity to witness the installation of their chief.
"Mr Paradzai Kutyauripo was born on August 13,1968 at Rosa Clinic here in Chiweshe. From 1976 to 1979 he did his primary education at Kakora Primary School in Chiweshe. Between 1983-1986 he did his high school at Kutama College in Zvimba," the Minister said.
Up to now 12 chiefs have ascended to the Negomo Chieftainship throne with Mr Kutyauripo being the 13th. Presently, Chief Negomo's area of jurisdiction covers Nzvimbo, Shopo, Shutu, Nyakudya, Gweshe, Rosa, Kanyemba, Mokodzongi, Belrock Majome, among other areas.
"Let me take this opportunity to thank the former acting chief for holding fort and executing his duties during his tenure," the Minister added.
Minister Moyo said traditional leaders were chosen by their own clans in accordance with their customs, traditions and norms.
"The Government does not impose a chief on a clan as this would be against both the prevailing succession customs and traditions of respective chieftaincies and the laws of the country," he said.
The Minister urged all chiefs to champion community development programmes and projects and to maintain among their people the spirit of peace as peace was one of the building blocks for achieving equitable and sustainable national development.
"I look forward to seeing the new Chief Negomo taking a leading role in supporting the various Government programmes. By the same token, I urge all the people to rally behind the new chief and render him all the respect and support. As Government, we expect a harmonious relationship between the chief and his people for peace and development to prevail," he said to applause.
Over hundred village heads pledged their allegiance to the chief and vowed to support and work well with him.
President Mnangagwa handed over 120 bicycles to the village heads. Chiefs Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira urged the incoming chief to lead by example and dispense justice.
"We congratulate you heartily because of this installation. The work you have been given belongs to God. A Chief has powers like a magistrate and a judge. Chiefs have enforcement powers and when you are fined please comply because there is no recourse. I also urge you to conserve the environment in your area of jurisdiction," he said.
Chief Charumbira urged the new chief to take a leaf from the First Lady and work for the people. President Mnangagwa implored the incoming chief to be fair, transparent and just.
"Coming back to my in-law who has been installed chief, you have heard the counsel from the president of the Chief's council and Chief Senator Matsiwo who leads chiefs here. We want to hear that you dispense justice. Matters must be resolved in a manner that pleases the people without corruption or favour. You must be fair, transparent and show no favouritism. When one is wrong, they are wrong and one who has done nothing wrong, has done nothing wrong. I believe for your ancestors to let you get the post, they would have assessed your heart. There are 300 chiefs in the country and there is no area without one. If we combine these areas of jurisdiction, that is Zimbabwe and if every chief dispenses justice, the nation will be on the correct path. While we are at the top, we believe that you will be representing us well. Ndinoshuvira kutonga kwakanaka kuna tezvara wangu," he said.
The President, who was accompanied by his sister, said: "Ava vatete varipano is the eldest in our family where I come third behind her. After hearing that the Negomo chieftainship had come to the Chinanzvavana family, she offered to come along and support me hence her presence here. She is the eldest in the Mnangagwa family."
The installation was welcomed by scores of people, including the secretary for the new chief, Mr Maxwell Chasakwa.
"We expect that the chief will discharge his duties in a fair manner. Firstly, a chief supports Government programmes including National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1). The chief will look at cultural issues in his area of jurisdiction. The chief will also look at the environment and the people's way of life. He will dissuade people from living on wetlands and other inappropriate places.
"The chief will see to it that people live in peace including the welfare of women. We also expect the chief to rule in conference with the law and cultural norms of his area," he said.
Mr Rodrick Nyikadzino, speaking on behalf of the spirit medium Tateguru Mugumo, expressed gratitude for the installation ceremony.
"We feel honoured that this ceremony has come to pass and has been witnessed by over 15 000 people," he said, adding that the spirit mediums had okayed the ceremony as seen by the handing over of a knobkerrie to the new chief.
Different traditional groups provided entertainment. The newly-installed chief was showered with gifts.
Source - The Sunday Mail
