Liberation war hero, Msabaeka: An inspiration to Manicaland business community
THE late businessman, philanthropist, transport and real estate mogul, Mr Enock Msabaeka, has been described as a businessman par-excellence, an astute and selfless man whose philanthropic deeds and immense contribution to the betterment of business in Manicaland should forever be cherished.
Hundreds of people from all walks of life on Wednesday afternoon gathered at Msabaeka Farm near Old Mutare Mission to bid farewell to the gallant son of Manicaland, who was conferred with the liberation war hero status.
Mr Msabaeka died in the wee hours of Monday after succumbing to heart and kidney ailments.
Addressing mourners at Mr Msabaeka’s burial, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, said President Mnangagwa saw it fit to accord Mr Msabaeka with liberation war hero status because of the immense contribution he made to the province and country at large.
Minister Mugadza said: “This is a huge loss to the Manicaland business community and province in general. He was a torchbearer for most business and transformed many lives. He played a critical role during the liberation struggle where his transport business provided supplies to liberation war fighters. We will forever miss his business acumen, his dedicated and selfless character and desire to see the country attaining its independence as well as seeing blacks excelling in business. As a province, we have lost a dedicated cadre whose void will be difficult, if not impossible to fill,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Msabaeka’s eldest son, Farai, vowed to preserve his father’s legacy.
“He was an inspiration, not only to his family, but to people around him. His words will forever linger in our minds. He taught us to work and work harder, and be an inspiration to people around us. His shoes will be too big for any one of us to fill, but we vow to preserve his legacy,” he said.
The late Mr Msabaeka was born on December 15, 1933 at Southdown, Chipinge District.
He was the eighth son of Mr Shayanewako Msabaeka and Ms Mvuyase Dzingire. He did primary education at Shekwa Primary School in Chipinge.
Thereafter, he proceeded to Mt Selinda Secondary School for secondary education. He did vocational training at Mount Selinda Training Centre.
After training at Mt Selinda, he qualified as a carpenter in 1954, and started teaching carpentry at Gwenzi Primary School in 1955.
In 1956, he moved to Old Mutare Mission where he taught Carpentry until 1959.
He bought his first bus in 1959, and in the same year, he got married to Ms Jane Nkomo (Derera).
They were blessed with six children, Rudo, the late Sithembile, Farai, Gondai, Tendai and Tanyaradzwa.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs Jane Msabaeka, five children, 28 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
The late Mr Msabaeka was an astute and hugely successful businessman.
He was a community leader, civic activist, farmer and educationist.
His business empire included a fleet of buses, both conventional and luxury coaches. He also ventured into real estate and owned farms, dry cleaners and a successful logistics company.
The late Mr Msabaeka was a staunch supporter of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle. He made immense material and financial contributions to the cause.
He and his colleagues like the late Mr Robert and John Zvinoera, collected and supplied material support for political detainees detained at Gonakudzingwa and Hwahwa detention camps.
During the liberation struggle, the late Mr Msabaeka was heavily involved in the procurement and supply of provisions such as clothing, shoes, denim jeans, food, medicines and other essential items for the combatants.
Through his business as a bus operator, Mr Msabaeka provided transport and logistical support for recruits from Manicaland Province to Chipinge, and assisted them to cross into Mozambique via the Mt Selinda area.
He coordinated the procurement of supplies and provided logistical support for both new recruits and combatants operating in the war zone.
The late Mr Msabaeka was a fierce advocate of the equal rights for the black oppressed people.
In 1967 for instance, Mr Msabaeka staged a one-man protest at the then Netherlands Bank (now ZB Bank) after he had been denied access into the bank through the front entrance which was reserved for whites only at the time.
Mr Msabaeka threatened to withdraw all his money and close his bank account.
It was only after his protest that the bank officially relented, gave in and started to allow black customers to use the same front entrance as the white customers.
After independence, the late Mr Msabaeka continued with his involvement as a political activist.
He was elected as councillor for City of Mutare, and in 1984 he was elected the mayor of the city, a position which he served with distinction for a period of seven years.
The late Mr Msabaeka sat on many boards of directors in business.
He was appointed to the Board of Directors for the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
He was one of the very first black businessmen to be appointed to this position.
He sat and served as a board member of many distinguished companies like Beverly Building Society, Zimbabwe Insurance Brokers, SARE (Southern Africa Reinsurance).
For a period of 25 years, the late Mr Msabaeka served as the secretary general of Zimbabwe Rural Bus Operators Association.
He served as a member and chairman of the Mutare Rotary Club for many years. He was also the chairman of the Manicaland Chapter of the Red Cross for more than 10 years.