Special touch for a fallen mother
FOR once, the noise from tractors and pollinating bees in the farming area of Macheke was replaced by that of musical instruments and vibrations from rotors of a bigger ‘bee’, a helicopter.
It was not a usual weekend for the community!
Well, one of the sons, Tawanda Chenana, decided to unveil his late mother’s, Susan Tanga, tombstone in panache.
Themed “Celebrating the life of Susan Tanga —Forever missed and always in our hearts”, the event was also used to unveil a new mansion built for the family at the farm.
It attracted top politicians, business people, musicians and traditional leaders.
People from different villages in the district and some that travelled from as far as Harare, Rusape and Mutare also graced the event.
Never mind the hundreds, if not thousands, in attendance, every single person got to feast as top beverages and food was served for free to all.
“This is an early Christmas. I have never had such a good time in a while,” said one herd boy who identified himself as Tinashe or SaMutoko.
The late Susan was a renowned war collaborator whose immense contribution to the country’s liberation struggle before and after independence was unquestionable.
Born on August 26, 1958, she died in 2014 just before her 56th birthday and was buried at Chitsanza Farm in Macheke, Mashonaland East. Proceedings at the farm were punctuated with superb musical performances.
In fact, the occasion resembled a gala as more than five reputable music groups took turns to thrill the huge crowd, for free.
Some of the musicians in attendance included the legendary Zora founder Leonard Karikoga Zhakata, dendera crooner Allan “Professor” Chimbetu, Franco Slomo and Ba Troy of “Shungu Dzemoyo”.
On a normal day, such artistes only play in Murehwa or Macheke Town Centres, situated 40km and 20km respectively from the farm.
But the major highlight of the day probably was when Tawanda made a grand entrance in a private helicopter.
He arrived just as the official programme was about to start and the crowd temporarily abandoned their pavilions to welcome him.
Men whistled in cheer, while women ululated in sync, shouting “Auya Tawanda”.
“I am proud of what Tawanda has done today. His mother played a crucial role during the war of liberation and continued doing so
after the country attained its Independence in 1980.
“It is encouraging that he (Tawanda), has not lost his roots. He is remembering her and developing this area, which is in line with the devolution programme that is being spearheaded by President Mnangagwa,” said Murehwa South Member of Parliament Nyasha Masoka in an interview.
The legislator added that Tawanda was good role model.
“Our April 18 Independence made it possible for youths to occupy crucial positions. However, I challenge the younger generation to emulate this guy. They should shun alcohol and substance abuse.
“By doing this, Tawanda is inspiring the world. He is showing that is it possible to be born in a village, grow and become a better person. But above all, he is showing his peers that Harare is not everything,” added MP Masoka.
Tawanda shared a part of his life history. “I feel like crying each time I come here. I always feel that something is missing. I have fond memories of that round hut, where I grew up in. That is where my mother used to cook sadza for us. I had a strong bond with her and just wish she had lived longer,” recalled Tawanda. The youthful businessman credits his success to the late war collaborator.
“My father could afford to take me to any school, but he was never available for us. If my mother was here, I would have shown her that she was a man in my life, a woman, a mother, everything. I have held this event in honour of her. I do not have anyone else that I can do
this for,” he added.
Tawanda attended Jekwa Primary and Secondary Schools in Murehwa. The 38-year-old is the third born and eldest son in a family of six, two boys and four girls.
“If you grow up in poverty, it is a lesson itself for you to aim big in life. By doing this event, I don’t mean to say I have money or I’m better than anyone. Most people know me from the time I stayed here, struggling to pay school fees and going to school bare-footed.
“I did not write Ordinary Level examinations and that gave me the drive to work extra hard so that I become better than my learned colleagues. I am a pure village boy who only travelled to Harare after getting donations from well-wishers,” revealed Tawanda.
But how did he eventually become a successful businessman with major interests in manufacturing, construction and logistics?
“I want to tell the youth that nothing is impossible. If you put your mind to it, everything will work out. I have a company that manufactures sweets in South Africa. I started small, but now I am distributing to Namibia, Botswana and here (Zimbabwe),” he revealed. “At some point, I was a gardener and later became a construction assistant. My strategy was to know what I wanted to do. When I was a gardener, I ended up opening a garden service company and it did well. I did not have experience of being a constructor but I taught myself and it worked. Several people think I am an engineer but I’m not.”
Tawanda said he is God-fearing and highly patriotic due to lessons inculcated to him by his late mother.