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Regrets of a 90 something-year-old man
16 Nov 2014 at 08:35hrs | Views
At 92 years of age, Sekuru Moses Gwasira of Zuze Village in Rusape regrets never confronting the British to return the head of the executed Makoni chief, Chingaira.
Chief Chingaira was decapitated on September 4, 1896 for resisting white settler domination.
After the execution, it is widely believed that his head was taken to London as a trophy of victory by the white settler regime. Some historians claim that Chingaira's head was presented to Cecil Rhodes as a gift.
Sekuru Gwasira, a medical doctor who was never allowed to practise in London back then because "blacks were treated like second class citizens", worked as a driver and guide.
While in London, he recounts that the issue of Chief Chingaira's head tore at his heart but he felt powerless as he knew that there was nothing he could single-handedly do to repatriate the head.
Instead, he buried himself in his work and consoled himself by the fact that the chief's head would come back home one day.
One of the first black Zimbabweans to study medicine, Sekuru Gwasira has enjoyed some of the finest things that this earthly life has to offer. He has travelled extensively, touring Germany, Italy and Rome, among other countries.
After retiring in 1998, Sekuru Gwasira retreated to his Zuze homestead where he lives a simple but comfortable life.
He now spends most of his time either working in his garden or reading.
However, in the midst of all the comfort in his life, the perennial thoughts of Chief Chingaira's head and its repatriation lingers on.
He regrets never having attempted to carry out the mission.
"I was in London on many occasions but I never made any efforts to inquire about the whereabouts of Chief Chingaira Makoni's head.
"I once stayed at a hotel that was a walk away from the royal British family residence, but I did not do anything to try to return my ancestor's head to Zimbabwe," Sekuru Gwasira said regrettably.
In England, the Seventh Day Adventist clergyman once stayed at the luxurious Park Lane Hotel, a celebrated Art Deco hotel located in the heart of London.
Facing the Green Park, one of the Royal Parks of London, Park Lane Hotel is just a short walk away from Buckingham Palace which is the official residence of the United Kingdom monarchy
Although Sekuru Gwasira regrets not taking up the issue during his stay in London, he finds solace in the fact that the late chief's head will be repatriated "soon."
"If the British want Cecil John Rhodes' ashes and even statues, they can come and reclaim them. Similarly, if we want our chief's head, we should also get it back. The British must not hold on to something which is not theirs," Sekuru Gwasira said.
Sekuru Gwasira said the late chief was born Mutota but was called Chingaira because his eyes were red and resembled those of a ngaira, an eagle-like bird. Chingaira was a revered fighter who won several landmark battles against both the British and the Portuguese.
Chief Chingaira was decapitated on September 4, 1896 for resisting white settler domination.
After the execution, it is widely believed that his head was taken to London as a trophy of victory by the white settler regime. Some historians claim that Chingaira's head was presented to Cecil Rhodes as a gift.
Sekuru Gwasira, a medical doctor who was never allowed to practise in London back then because "blacks were treated like second class citizens", worked as a driver and guide.
While in London, he recounts that the issue of Chief Chingaira's head tore at his heart but he felt powerless as he knew that there was nothing he could single-handedly do to repatriate the head.
Instead, he buried himself in his work and consoled himself by the fact that the chief's head would come back home one day.
One of the first black Zimbabweans to study medicine, Sekuru Gwasira has enjoyed some of the finest things that this earthly life has to offer. He has travelled extensively, touring Germany, Italy and Rome, among other countries.
After retiring in 1998, Sekuru Gwasira retreated to his Zuze homestead where he lives a simple but comfortable life.
He now spends most of his time either working in his garden or reading.
However, in the midst of all the comfort in his life, the perennial thoughts of Chief Chingaira's head and its repatriation lingers on.
He regrets never having attempted to carry out the mission.
"I was in London on many occasions but I never made any efforts to inquire about the whereabouts of Chief Chingaira Makoni's head.
"I once stayed at a hotel that was a walk away from the royal British family residence, but I did not do anything to try to return my ancestor's head to Zimbabwe," Sekuru Gwasira said regrettably.
In England, the Seventh Day Adventist clergyman once stayed at the luxurious Park Lane Hotel, a celebrated Art Deco hotel located in the heart of London.
Facing the Green Park, one of the Royal Parks of London, Park Lane Hotel is just a short walk away from Buckingham Palace which is the official residence of the United Kingdom monarchy
Although Sekuru Gwasira regrets not taking up the issue during his stay in London, he finds solace in the fact that the late chief's head will be repatriated "soon."
"If the British want Cecil John Rhodes' ashes and even statues, they can come and reclaim them. Similarly, if we want our chief's head, we should also get it back. The British must not hold on to something which is not theirs," Sekuru Gwasira said.
Sekuru Gwasira said the late chief was born Mutota but was called Chingaira because his eyes were red and resembled those of a ngaira, an eagle-like bird. Chingaira was a revered fighter who won several landmark battles against both the British and the Portuguese.
Source - Sunday Mail
