Chief Nenguwo dies at 74

CHIEF Ceaphas Zingayi Chagaresango, known as Chief Nenguwo, has died. He was 74. He succumbed to prostate cancer on Saturday night at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare.

Chief Nenguwo will be buried today at his homestead in Chawapiwa village, Nenguwo in Marondera district at 2pm.

In a telephone interview with The Herald yesterday, Chief Nenguwo’s sister, Mrs Sitshengisiwe Tsuro, described his brother as a father to all and a unifier.

“My brother succumbed to prostate cancer on Saturday night at Parirenyatwa Hospital,” she said. “He was taken to the hospital when his health deteriorated, but efforts to save him were fruitless.

“As a family we have lost a father, a peace-loving father, someone who loved unity. He loved his family and always dedicated his time to serving the community as a chief. He loved his people and they loved him. We are at a huge loss; we only believe it was God’s time.”

Mrs Tsuro said his brother was actively involved in the Second Chimurenga, operating in the Chihota area as a mujibha, where he was always harassed by the Smith regime’s soldiers.

“He was a fearless mujibha during the Second Chimurenga and we were always worried about him. But knowing that he was out there contributing towards the attainment of freedom for this country gave us some comfort,” she said.

Chief Nenguwo did his primary and secondary education at Waddilove Primary School in Marondera and Tegwani Secondary School in Plumtree before taking a welding course in the then Salisbury (now Harare), Mrs Tsuro added.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs Editor Chagaresango (nee Makwanya), seven children, 24 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.