Moffat Mungazi
Moffat Mungazi and Baldwin Chidzikwe
THE name Mr Chiwara sounds very familiar in education circles in the high-density suburb of Sakubva, especially to those who grew up or attended school in the area from the late 1960s to around 2010.
Mr Chiwara was the long-serving head at Elise Gledhill High School for 30 straight years – from 1982 to 2012.
He is understood to have joined the school in 1968.
Sadly, the veteran educationist passed on early this week.
He was 77.
The seasoned classroom practitioner had been unwell for some time after being diagnosed with a heart problem.
Mr Chiwara is survived by his wife, Mrs Lydia Chiwara, six children and 10 grandchildren.
He is expected to be laid to rest today (Friday) at Samusodza Village in Bonda, Mutasa District.
Tributes were pouring in this week from far and wide, and from people of all walks of life, as they paid their last respects to the revered educationist.
Having passed through the seasoned hands of Mr Chiwara, we felt obliged to do an obituary in his honour.
During our four secondary school years at Elise Gledhill, co-writer, Baldwin Chidzikwe, was privileged to be the head boy, and that experience greatly helped to shape him into the person that he is today.
As a proud product of Mr Chiwara, he salutes him for thrusting that responsibility unto me as it instilled principles of discipline, hard work, dedication to duty and empathy as he regularly interacted with fellow learners and members of staff.
Despite his perceived status as a head boy, he was also on the receiving end of his “wrath” under his strict discipline regime at the school.
However, we still adoringly referred to him as “Fox” – likening him to the martial arts expert in yesteryear kung-fu movies because we reckoned he was a master or expert of the art of education and also spotted white, long beard! Many other ex-learners at our former school can agree and attest to the profound influence Mr Chiwara had on them.
He touched and transformed their lives in a positive way. We belong to the stream of learners that produced a fine crop such as The Manica Post journalist, Moffat Mungazi, Nyanga District Development Coordinator, Mr Lloyd Kasima and Manica Diamonds Juniors head coach, Hibron Makukutu, among others. Mr Chiwara’s passing is a sad loss, not only to the former learners at Elise Gledhill, but his family, Manicaland community and the country at large for he was a gigantic figure in the education sector.
His eldest son, Steven Chiwara Jnr, who is also the family spokesperson, said the void left by his father can never be filled.
“My hero, my mentor is gone. Life will never be the same without him. Our father loved his family dearly, and also served the community diligently, both as a teacher and headmaster. We will forever hold dear the memories we had together with him while also celebrating and cherishing the rich legacy he created and left in the education sector,” said Steven Jnr.
He described his late father as a loving and responsible man.
Acting Manicaland Provincial Education Director, Mr Richard Gabaza paid tribute to the late Mr Chiwara as a leader par excellence.
“The education fraternity has lost a gallant, legendary and educational leader. It is not going to be the same without him. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. “Mr Chiwara was a straightforward person and exuded lots of professional integrity. During his time at Elise Gledhill there were noticeable academic developments spearheaded by him. He is also known for introducing technical-vocational subjects,” said Mr Gabaza.
After his 30-year tenure as head at Elise Gledhill came to an end, Mr Chiwara did not leave the education field, but continued the illustrious journey when he joined First Class Academy in May 2012.
He was still with the high flying institution at the time of his demise, where he was serving as the administrator.
First Class Group of Schools director general, Mr Stephen Gwinyai Mutsongodza, a renowned educationist in his own right, said Mr Chiwara’s loss was devastating.
“Indeed, we have lost a legend and great icon in the education fraternity, Mr Steven Chiwara. He contributed immensely to the development of education in Manicaland and Zimbabwe at large. If there was a heroes’ acre for educationist, honestly speaking, he would qualify to be buried there without any questions. He deserves to be in the archives as far as education in this country is concerned.
“We are saddened indeed and devastated by his loss. As First Class Group of School we are at a loss of words,” said Mr Mutsongodza.
He added: “He groomed several people now contributing towards nation building. His untimely death is devastating. We are forever grateful and indebted to his great contribution towards the achievements of First Class Group of Schools.”
Boasting a wealth of experience up their sleeves, the formidable team of Messrs Mutsongodza and Chiwara as well as other members of staff, including co-director, Mrs Tracey Mutsongodza, steered the First Class Academy ship and unprecedented levels as the institution produced learners that excelled in several learning areas by obtaining flying colours in the national final examinations. The late seasoned educationist’s colleague, Mr Benjamin Mutasa, the First Class Academy head, said it was a pleasure to work with Mr Chiwara.
“His passing is a great loss to us. We worked well with him. Mr Chiwara played an instrumental role in having the institution grow numerically in terms of learner enrolment and academic results. As First Class Academy, we extent our heartfelt condolences,” he said.
Current Elise Gledhill High School head, Mr George Mwenye said the late Mr Chiwara left behind a rich legacy worth emulating.
“The Elise Gledhill High School community mourns the passing of our beloved former head, Mr Stephen Chiwara, who dedicated 44 remarkable years to nurturing young minds at this school. A disciplinarian, Mr Chiwara was respected for his commitment to the highest standards of moral character; traits that helped that helped shape this school into an esteem institution it is today. He laid the strong foundations for Elise Gledhill High.
“We will remember him for being the longest serving head after taking over the reins from Mr Buxton in 1982 until he left in 2012. He was an exceptional leader who expected excellence in all areas. Mr Chiwara was also a great Science teacher who taught from the heart, and an educationist who produced many of today’s professionals,” said Mr Mwenye.
Prominent lawyer, Mr Oliver Marwa, who is a former Elise Gledhill High School learner, said despite being a strict disciplinarian, his ex-head was highly charismatic.
“Mr Chiwara was a legendary educationist and charismatic disciplinarian. His contribution to the education sector in Mutare, Manicaland and beyond is indescribably profound. The products that passed through his hands are all over the world and making a difference by significantly contributing to their areas of influence. His was a life well lived and we celebrate his achievements,” said the Harare-based legal practitioner.
The late Mr Chiwara was a devout Christian.
