REV CHINAMORA BURIAL SERVICE
Biography of Reverend Raymond David Makombera Chinamora, Our Legend, Our Legacy.
Survived by his wife Lucia and seven children — David, Daniel, Joshua, Martha Chinam, Rebecca, Nancy and Maureen. He was affectionately known to many as RD and he had some groundbreaking firsts and trail blazing achievements.
(1) Together with James Chikerema, he owned one of the first Black focused Newspapers, The Rise, which became one of the mouthpieces of the Nationalist Parties ZANU PF & ZAPU.
(2) He was one of the first senior civil servants in the Independent Ministry of Information.
(3) He was the first Youth Administrative Secretary for both N.D.P & ZAPU in 1961 & 1962 respectively.
(4) Before owning his own newspaper The Rise, which he also edited, he worked for the National Observer, and the Weekly Express. At some point he became the target of the Smith Regime, and escaped 19 charges under the notorious Law and Order Act, related to party membership recruitment, through the help of the Late Honourable Minister Herbert Ushewokunze
(5) He was among the first journalists to interview Magret Thatcher, the first female Prime Minister in the world & Britain, as well as Lord Salisbury, at 10 Downing Street.
(6)When things were tough in the then Rhodesia, he still had the courage to interview the Prime Minister Ian Douglas Smith.
(7)Together with a team of highly esteemed journalists , he covered the Lancaster House talks in England, that led to the independence of Zimbabwe
(8)He was one of the first senior civil servants in the Independent Ministry of Information.
(9)He was the first Youth Administrative Secretary for both N.D.P & ZAPU in 1961 & 1962 respectively.
(10)He shared offices with the former & late President Robert Gabriel Mugabe when he was the National Publicity Secretary, with the late President Mugabe as editor of The People’s voice.
The Reverend did his primary school education at Chinyika Primary School, and his secondary school at Bradley Institute. In 1979 he left for the United Kingdom to further his studies in journalism with the Thompson Foundation, obtaining a Merit Certificate in Journalism in 1979. He obtained an Associate Degree in Theology from Christ for The Nations Institute in Dallas Texas, USA, a Bachelor of Theology from the Biblical Institute of Virginia, USA, and a degree from the University of Christian Life School of Theology , Columbia Georgia U.S.A.
In 2014, he retired from Vision for Christ Ministries, which he co-founded in 2002. The ministry now known as Global, Vision for Christ Ministries helps orphans, widows, seniors and youth at risk.
The Reverend sold his house in Cranborne to raise money to go to Christ for The Nations Institute to study Theology. He was a true giver who empowered so many lives by assisting them to go to the USA , and living with them till they got established. He is survived by his wife Lucia, his sons Thulani, Daniel, David & Joshua; his daughters Nancy, Maureen, Rabecca, Martha & Reddy; and several nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Reverend R.D.M. Chinamora lost his fight with prostate and colon cancer and died peacefully on Thursday 30 November, 2023 at his Borrowdale West residence surrounded by family members. May His Soul Rest In Eternal Peace and May his legacy forever live.
A ZIMBABWEAN man, who has been missing since October, was murdered and his body was found on the edges of a sports field in Salford in the Greater Manchester area.
Tanyaradzwa Julius Matara was 43.
The Manchester Evening News understands he had been reported missing from the Eccles area, where he had been living.
A murder investigation was launched after police were called to a house on Great Cheetham Street West in Higher Broughton at 2.35am on Thursday last week.
The body of Matara was found on a grass verge behind the property on the edge of playing fields at Broughton Cricket and Rugby Club.
Two men were arrested at the scene with a further man later arrested, all on suspicion of murder.
They have been released on bail pending further investigation.
The victim’s relatives are being supported by family liaison officers.
Matara’s relatives live in the British Midlands. Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Smith of Greater Manchester Police’s Major Incident Team said:
“Firstly, I would like to pass on my condolences to the family of Julius at this extremely distressing time and would ask that they are left alone to grieve
the passing of their loved one.
“The Force has been searching for Julius after he was circulated as a high-risk missing person at the end of October and everyone had been working had to locate him and this is a truly sad ending.
“As you would have seen from previous updates, we have been conducting our enquiries to gather as much information as we can to paint a picture into how Julius sadly died.
“I would like to thank the community in Salford who have been patient with us during our searches, I understand this is a deeply concerning case for the residents in the area.
“We are still appealing to anyone that might have an information into Julius’ death to please get in touch, this includes any relevant footage such as mobile, doorbell, CCTV or dashcam to contact us on 0161 856 3635, quoting log number 218 of 07/12/2023. Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
“It is crucial we have as much detail as possible to help piece together what has happened in this tragic incident where someone has sadly lost their life.
“We are keeping all available lines of enquiry open but no matter how small, your piece of information may be that crucial bit of evidence we need that can help us with this investigation.”