Mutambara to honour late father
Book to detail achievements during the colonial era, exhibitions planned
FORMER Zimbabwe Deputy Prime Minister Professor Arthur Guseni Mutambara has said he will honour his late father, Philemon Joseph, in a new book.
Philemon was a renowned author, and Mutambara said he would honour him in a book titled The A.G.O. Mutambara Story from 1640AD to Present, which is set to chronicle his life and achievements during the colonial era.
In addition to that, Mutambara said he was planning to hold exhibitions for Philemon’s published work and other materials he did while still alive.
The late Philemon was the author of the Zimsec Advanced Level examination set book, Nziramasango, which was published in 2011.
He died in 1968 at the age of 35.
Speaking during the unveiling of his father’s tombstone at his homestead in the Mutambara area recently, the former deputy prime minister said his father was a distinguished scholar, polished author and dedicated man whose legacy would be cherished for many years to come.
“He was the first graduate in the Mutambara area. He attained a Bachelor of Arts in geography and English in 1958 from Fort Hare University in South Africa and a teaching distinction in UED, now called GCE, in 1959 from the same university.
“He was among the pioneer teachers at Sakubva Secondary School and was the first black teacher in Mutare in 1958. In 1948, he went to Goromonzi, which was the first government school, and excelled again.
“He got a first-class Cambridge Certificate at Goromonzi in 1951 and earned distinctions in all subjects before he went to Fort Hare.”
Of interest, Mutambara said, was the fact that his father sired four children who all earned PhDs in various disciplines, namely biology, economics, pharmacy and engineering.
“He died a young man at about 35 years,” he said.
“He was born on October 30, 1932 and died on August 24, 1968.
“An important message I would like to give to people is that life is not guaranteed.
“This man died at a very young age. People should, therefore, try as much as possible to leave a legacy. My father died a young man, but he left a legacy.”
Mutambara said he was also working on other books, which he said would be ready for publication soon.
“The late Mutambara was an author and he wrote his book in 1958 and failed to publish it after the white colonialists complained that it was denigrating Christianity,” he said.
“It was then shelved until I took it in 2011 and decided to publish it. The book is now being used as a set book for A- Levels. His story will be published in the fourth edition of the books that I am working on.
“As of now, I am working on the editions of the books which are in volumes 1, 2, 3 and 4. Volume 1 has already been published, and volumes 2 and 3 are coming. The books will be titled In Search of the Elusive Zimbabwean Dream: An Autobiography of Thought Leadership.
“My late father’s history will be in the fourth edition, to be called The A.G.O. Mutambara’s Story from 1640AD to Present,” he said.
Professor Lovemore Madhuku, a Zimbabwean politician and democracy activist, also attended the unveiling ceremony, where he spoke highly of his friendship with Mutambara since their time in school.
Former Zim leader praises man who left proud legacy