Chiredzi chief succumbs to Covid-19
CHIREDZI paramount chief, Chief Tshovani, born Mr Hlaisi Mundau, died yesterday morning at Collin Saunders Hospital in Triangle from Covid-19-related complications at the age of 75.
The Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs in its condolence message described him as a repository of Shangaan tradition and culture and a staunch fighter against neo-imperialism.
The chief had been unwell for some time, before Covid-19 struck him leading to his demise.
Chiefs Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira said Chief Tshovani was a senior traditional leader within the chiefs' fraternity, who was a source of counsel. We have lost a senior chief who led his people with wisdom and love for nearly three decades. It is a very big loss to us as the Zimbabwe Chiefs Council.
Chief Tshovani fought for the restoration and repossession of land belonging to black people including those under his area of jurisdiction.
He was very particular about preservation and upholding of the Shangaan culture and will always be remembered for that.
Chief Tshovani was a pacesetter in the reclamation of cultural values of his people following the end of colonialism and set an example to his area as an accomplished farmer who led from the front in ensuring food security for his people and the nation at large.
He was a champion and stalwart in the fight against colonialism and continued to fight for the restoration of the black man's dignity.
He was a successful and model farmer for his people. Chief Tshovani was renowned for growing traditional grains especially sorghum and he knew that the Limpopo and Save valleys are conducive for drought-tolerant crops because of poor rains, said Chief Charumbira.
The late Chief will also be fondly remembered by his people for fighting for local people to get sugarcane plots in the Lowveld as land reform reached that area. Communities in the Lowveld led by Chief Tshovani felt locals deserved to be considered in the allocation of cane plots in Triangle and Hippo Valley under land reform.
Chiredzi District Development Coordinator Mr Lovemore Chisema, said the late Chief epitomised hard work and resilience in the quest for development. Chiredzi had lost a development-oriented traditional leader who was concerned about uplifting the lives of his people.
A dark cloud has engulfed Chiredzi. The district has lost an exemplary traditional leader who dearly loved his people.
The late Chief assumed the throne in 1995 and is one of the two Shangaan chiefs in the Lowveld, serving with Chief Sengwe.