Death a path appointed for everyone — HE

Joseph Madzimure

Zimpapers Politics Hub

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa last night visited the Rushwaya family home in Harare to console them following the death of Sekuru Tinos Jesmiel Rushwaya, father to Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya.

Sekuru Rushwaya died on Thursday night after a long battle with prostate cancer.

He was 98.

In his address to mourners, President Mnangagwa reminded the family that death was a path appointed for everyone and that it was God’s will, which everyone had to humbly accept.

“As the most beautiful flowers are picked first from the garden, so too does the Lord call home those He loves dearly,” he said.

President Mnangagwa encouraged Zimbabweans to be prayer warriors to prepare their lives for the afterlife, noting that there was a time for every purpose, including a time to die.

“As human beings we have to accept death,” he said.

The President described the duration of human life and its end as a divine appointment, noting that there was a time for every purpose under heaven, including a time to die.

He encouraged Zimbabweans to wish one another good health and a long life so that together, they could continue building the nation in unity and love.

President Mnangagwa was accompanied by Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Cabinet ministers, senior Government officials and business executives, among others.

Also in attendance was Permanent Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana.

In a statement released earlier yesterday, President Mnangagwa described Sekuru Rushwaya as a distinguished teacher, farmer and community leader who dedicated several decades of his life to mentoring generations of Zimbabweans.

The President said he had learnt of the death with “deep grief and sadness”.

“A veteran educationist, Sekuru Rushwaya leaves behind a meritorious career as a leader in the field of education which spanned over several decades, and which accounted for multitudes of successful products who went through his hands,” said President Mnangagwa.

He added that the impact of Sekuru Rushwaya’s work could be seen through the achievements of his former students, many of whom had gone on to occupy influential positions in society.

“Today many of his students occupy commanding echelons in our society, thus bearing loud testimony to the great work he discharged and accomplished in his professional life and career which took him to different schools across various provinces,” he said.

“A devout Christian, Sekuru Rushwaya also stood out as a farmer and a local leader who remained engaged in community development to the very last days of his able life.”

President Mnangagwa said Sekuru Rushwaya’s compassion and commitment to serving others had left an important legacy for society.

“As we mourn his demise, we celebrate such compassion, a legacy which must be deeply emulated and cherished by all in our society,” he said.

Sekuru Rushwaya’s professional career saw him serve in various capacities in the education sector, including as a teacher, headmaster and schools’ inspector.

President Mnangagwa said it was in recognition of this service to generations of Zimbabweans that Government had decided to accord him a State-assisted funeral.

The President also paid tribute to the role Sekuru Rushwaya played within his family and community, describing him as a pillar who led by example.

“They have lost a pillar of the family and community who led by inspiring example,” he said.

“On behalf of the party, ZANU PF, Government, my family, and on my behalf, I wish to express my deepest, heartfelt condolences to Dr Rushwaya, the Rushwaya family, relatives and friends on this their saddest loss”.

President Mnangagwa urged the bereaved family to draw comfort from the educationist’s contribution to the country and the generations he mentored.

“May the good Lord grant him final repose, and rest his dear soul in eternal peace,” he said.

Sekuru Rushwaya was born in Mhazo Village, Gutu, on July 28, 1928.

He did his primary education at Chihambakwe and Chidyamakuni from 1937 to 1938 before going to Pamushana Mission for Standard 1 to 5 from 1939 to 1944.

In 1945, he went to Morgenster Mission for Standard 6 and did teacher training from 1946 to 1947.

In 1948, he got his first job as a teacher at Pamushana Mission, where he worked for one year.

He was transferred to Chibi Mission in 1949 and stayed there for two years.

At Chibi Mission, he was the Boarding Master and Overseer of the Mission.

Between 1951 and 1953, he was at Tegwani Secondary School, where he did Junior Certificate (JC) and Matric.

He was the Head Captain for four years.

After completing secondary education, he went to Zvishavane, where he was appointed Head of Mapazure Primary School from 1956 to 1963.

Between 1964 and 1969, he headed different Government schools in Kwekwe, among them Amaveni, Connemara Prison and Chiedza.

He was transferred to Harare in 1969, where he was the first headmaster of Tafara Primary School and went on to Chembira School in Glen Norah.

In 1976, he was promoted to Education Officer based at Chester House, looking after Goromonzi District in Mashonaland East until his retirement in 1990.

In a statement yesterday, the Institute of African Knowledge (Instak) extended condolences to the Rushwaya family, friends and associates following the passing of Sekuru Rushwaya.

Sekuru Rushwaya’s stellar career in the education sector, Instak chairman Professor Simbi Mubako said, laid the foundation for the success of countless of young Zimbabweans, who today are productive and progressive citizens.

“As a teacher, headmaster and schools’ inspector, his contributions over the course of several decades ensured the values of selflessness, dedication to duty and pursuit of excellence – values that he held dear – were passed on from one generation to the next.

“The dear departed was also a community pillar and a compassionate and devout Christian who was ever ready to lend his wisdom and experience to the development of society.

On behalf of the Board of the Institute of African Knowledge, the Chief Executive Officer Ambassador Kwame Muzawazi, and the entire management and staff of INSTAK, I convey my deepest condolences to the Rushwaya Family. May the family be comforted during this time of grief, and may his dear soul rest in eternal peace,” he said.