‘Min Chidawu worked hard for development’
NATIONAL hero and Minister of State for Harare Provincial Affairs and Devolution Engineer Oliver Chidawu, who died on Tuesday last week, was a model citizen who worked hard for the development of his country.
He was 68 years old. Speakers who gave testimony during a memorial service held at his Stafford Farm in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West, yesterday said Eng Chidawu excelled in governance, business and evangelism.
Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Mary Mliswa-Chikoka said his death was a great loss to the country.
“I am deeply sorry to family and friends on the passing on of Eng Chidawu. He was a giant in governance, politics and business and he will be greatly missed by these two provinces, particularly by the youths.”
Eng Chidawu, she said, always had time to give advice to young leaders.
“He was a father figure who always gave us wise counsel. He didn’t work hard for himself only, but also mentored a lot of young people in business and politics over the years. I urge the Chidawu family and the Zimbabwean youths at large to protect his legacy. I want to thank the President (Mnangagwa) and the Zanu-PF party leadership for according him the national hero status, which he rightly deserves.”
Zanu-PF deputy national political commissar Senator Omega Hungwe said Eng Chidawu has left a huge void in the management of Harare provincial affairs.
“I was working with Engineer Chidawu in Senate; we were the only two Zanu-PF senators in Harare and now that he has left us I feel exposed, I feel alone. It was also a great shock because it was so sudden. We had talked and shared ideas just the day before his demise. He achieved a lot as a young man. You have all heard how he became a councillor, a mayor and a businessman at such a young age, it shows how great a man he was.”
Senator Hungwe urged youths to draw inspiration from his legacy.
“Outside official business, he was a great friend to the President. That alone just tells you how hardworking Engineer Chidawu was because President Mnangagwa does not tolerate laziness. You can excel too if you follow in his footsteps.”
Engineer Chidawu’s father, Stephen, said he was also a devout Christian.
“I am sad but also proud because he chose to follow God’s path until the end. All the things he achieved were because of his faith in God and His word. I have no doubt that he is at peace.”
After the event, Eng Chidawu’s body was airlifted to Harare ahead of burial at the National Heroes Acre tomorrow. Eng Chidawu did his primary education at St Faith Mudoti in Chivhu up to Standard Four. He later relocated to Kambuzuma, Harare, and advanced his education through City and Guilds up to tertiary education.
At the age of 29, he became the youngest ever mayor of the City of Harare. He was among pioneers of black empowerment in the early 1980s. He is survived by his wife Spiwe, two children and six grandchildren.