First Lady consoles Rushwaya family

Blessings Chidakwa

Senior Reporter

FIRST LADY Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa yesterday conveyed her condolences to the Rushwaya family following the death of Sekuru Tinos Jesmiel Rushwaya, father of Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya.

Sekuru Rushwaya, who was 98, died recently and was accorded a State-assisted funeral in recognition of his contribution to the country.

Comforting the bereaved family during a church service held at the Rushwaya residence in Chishawasha, Dr Mnangagwa described Sekuru Rushwaya as a dedicated educator, whose life was devoted to shaping and mentoring generations.

She said his contribution to education and community development had left an enduring mark, with many people benefitting from his wisdom, guidance and commitment to service.

“We have gathered here today because of Sekuru Rushwaya, and I am grateful to God that he was blessed with a long and fulfilling life. We were privileged to live alongside him, share precious memories and witness the remarkable work he did in the education sector. Once you are in the education sector, you cannot leave behind a child who is struggling academically. Through education, you helped to transform the lives of many people and opened doors for them,” she said.

Dr Mnangagwa urged the family to draw comfort from the lasting legacy he left behind, saying the many lives he touched would continue to keep his memory alive.

“To the fathers gathered here, I ask you to encourage your children to go to school. It is through education that families such as the Rushwaya family represented here, including Dr Martin Rushwaya, are built.

“When you look closely at the Rushwaya family, you can see that education played an important role in shaping them,” she said.

Dr Mnangagwa also described Sekuru Rushwaya as an organised man who was “very smart both in his mind and in his appearance”.

“He was a man who planned his life. He would say, ‘I will walk this way, you go this way, you stand here and you stand there.’ He put things in order and knew exactly what he wanted.

“Today, we see the consequences when people do not put things in order. Families can end up fighting among themselves and taking each other to court because of a lack of proper planning and organisation,” she said.

Dr Mnangagwa said Sekuru Rushwaya taught people to plan, put their affairs in order and, above all, know God.

She said the family had gathered to bid Sekuru Rushwaya farewell and honour him in a manner that reflected the dignity, wisdom and distinguished character that defined his life.

“You were a man of great wisdom and cleanliness. Go well, Sekuru. May your journey be peaceful and may your path be smooth until you reach your final home.”

The First Lady, who thanked the mourners who gathered to remember Sekuru Rushwaya, also paid tribute to Dr Martin Rushwaya’s wife for taking care of her father-in-law during his final days.

“To the daughter-in-law, you did very well to take care of your father-in-law. To all daughters-in-law, wherever you are married, when you get there, serve and support your family so that people can speak of you with pride and talk good of you like Amai Rushwaya. You have done well.

“We should never be ashamed to stand before people and speak about the important role played by daughters-in-law in our families, as demonstrated through the wife of Dr Martin Rushwaya,” she said.

For the Rushwaya family, his death marked the loss of a beloved father, grandfather and pillar of strength.

The family expressed gratitude for the support received from the Government and the presence of the First Family during the difficult period.

They said the gesture had brought them comfort and strength as they mourned their father and grandfather.

Speaking on behalf of the Rushwaya family, Mr Garcia Rushwaya expressed profound gratitude to President Mnangagwa and the First Lady for standing with the family during their bereavement.

He described Sekuru Rushwaya as a man of exceptional wisdom and intelligence, thanking God for blessing the family with such a remarkable patriarch.

“I would like to sincerely thank President Mnangagwa and the First Lady for coming to mourn with us and honour our brother. He was a man of exceptional wisdom and intelligence. We thank God for blessing us with such a remarkable person,” he said.

Another family member, Mr Tinos Rushwaya, also expressed gratitude to the Government for the support extended to the family following their loss.

He said the family had been deeply comforted by President Mnangagwa’s presence during the mourning proceedings on Friday night and the First Lady’s attendance at the memorial service.

“We were comforted when President Mnangagwa came and stood with us during our mourning. We have been comforted again by the presence of the First Lady, who has returned to stand with us and console the family,” he said.

Born in Mhazo village, Gutu on July 28, 1928, Sekuru Rushwaya dedicated much of his life to education and public service.

He began his primary education at Chihambakwe and Chidyamakuni before proceeding to Pamushana Mission, where he studied from Standard One up to Five between 1939 and 1944.

In 1945, he enrolled at Morgenster Mission for Standard Six before undertaking teacher training from 1946 to 1947.

He began his teaching career in 1948 at Pamushana Mission before moving to Chibi Mission the following year, where he served as boarding master and overseer.

Between 1951 and 1953, he attended Tegwani Secondary School, obtaining his Junior Certificate and Matric.

After completing his secondary education, he was appointed headmaster of Mapanzure Primary School in Zvishavane, where he served from 1956 to 1963.

From 1964 to 1969, he headed several Government schools in Kwekwe, including Amaveni, Connemara Prison and Chiedza schools.

He was transferred to Harare in 1969 and became the first headmaster of Tafara Primary School before moving to Chembira Primary School in Glen Norah.

In 1976, he was promoted to education officer at Chester House, where he was responsible for Goromonzi district in Mashonaland East province until his retirement in 1990.

Beyond his professional career, Sekuru Rushwaya also participated in pre-liberation politics and dedicated himself to the struggle for Zimbabwe’s independence.

As a teacher, headmaster and education officer, he touched the lives of generations, leaving behind a legacy of mentorship, service and commitment to education.

The church service was attended by several Cabinet ministers, including Defence Minister and ZANU PF Chairperson Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, Government officials, family members and former colleagues.

The body was yesterday taken to the Rushwaya family homestead in Majada, Gutu, Masvingo province, where he is expected to be buried today.