Chiwundura community mourns Professor Bhebhe
Story by Tafara Chikumira, Midlands Bureau Chief
National hero Professor Ngwabi Bhebhe has been described as a dedicated farmer who contributed immensely to agricultural transformation in Chiwundura area.
Having grown up as a rural boy herding cattle in Mberengwa, the late Professor Bhebe’s upbringing might have inspired his acquisition of Tshulu farm after independence, a place he would call home away from city life.
The community says the late Professor’s humility as he interacted with the local community proved the late national hero had an upbringing rooted in the spirit of Ubuntu.
“He was a man who had so much respect for traditional leaders irrespective of his position in society. He had a thriving horticulture production where we would benefit from fresh produce. He once owned this place as a hotel where our children would get employment and even now as a school, most people employed here are locals,” said Headman Rukweza.
“When he came to settle here, there were no boreholes in the area but he helped bring a person from town who would site four boreholes so that there is water in the area. He helped us a lot with tractors and other equipment as we didn’t have such equipment back in the day,” said one of the community members.
Another added, “He would bring me goodies like cooking oil and bread whenever he visited. Now that he is gone, I am poorer.”
Meanwhile, a memorial service for the national hero was held at the Midlands State University, where colleagues and government officials spoke highly of his contribution as an academic.
“When he became the first vice chancellor of this institution, we were together with Professor Bhebhe. He is a man who gave me life lessons that would help me set up the University I am leading at the moment. He was indeed a great man,” said Great Zimbabwe University’s vice chancellor, Professor Rungano Zvobgo.
University of Zimbabwe’s vice chancellor, Professor P. Mapfumo said, “We were very close colleagues though he was very senior. He was very generous with advising colleagues whenever we needed direction. His research works inspired some of us in the world of academics.”
“This is indeed a great loss to the nation as we had assigned him various portfolios even well after his retirement. He was an asset to this great nation of Zimbabwe and his works cannot be over-emphasized,” said Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube.
Professor Bhebhe’s body will lie in state at his Mutausi home in Gweru before being flown to Harare on Friday.
He will be buried at the National Heroes Acre on Saturday.
