Peter
Chawapiwa
Chawapiwa
MASHAVA
– History
was revived recently when Chief Bere was installed at a colourful ceremony held
at Bere High School.
– History
was revived recently when Chief Bere was installed at a colourful ceremony held
at Bere High School.
The installation of
Phineas Tafirei as the inaugural leader of the revived Bere chieftaincy marked
the end of 125 years of its abolishment.
Phineas Tafirei as the inaugural leader of the revived Bere chieftaincy marked
the end of 125 years of its abolishment.
The chieftaincy was
destroyed by early colonial settlers because the then chief was resisting
occupation by repeatedly cutting telegraph wires between Masvingo and Bulawayo.
destroyed by early colonial settlers because the then chief was resisting
occupation by repeatedly cutting telegraph wires between Masvingo and Bulawayo.
The Minister of State
for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Ezra Ruvai Chadzamira, who presided over the
installation ceremony, said Tafirei was appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa
in July 2018 in terms of the Traditional Leaders Act.
for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Ezra Ruvai Chadzamira, who presided over the
installation ceremony, said Tafirei was appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa
in July 2018 in terms of the Traditional Leaders Act.
“We are here today
to witness and celebrate the appointment of Phineas Tafirei as Chief Bere by
President Emmerson Mnangagwa. His ancestor Chivungavunga lived here until 1925
and he was removed because of the fertile farming land.
to witness and celebrate the appointment of Phineas Tafirei as Chief Bere by
President Emmerson Mnangagwa. His ancestor Chivungavunga lived here until 1925
and he was removed because of the fertile farming land.
“The Land Apportionment
Act of 1930 finally abolished his chieftainship which had earlier been taken
away from him by the white settlers,” said Chadzamira.
Act of 1930 finally abolished his chieftainship which had earlier been taken
away from him by the white settlers,” said Chadzamira.
After being expelled
from their ancestral land, the Bere clan went to settle in various parts of the
country including Chirumanzu, Gutu, Zaka and Hwange.
from their ancestral land, the Bere clan went to settle in various parts of the
country including Chirumanzu, Gutu, Zaka and Hwange.
Before his appointment as
chief, Tafirei, who was born on January 12, 1936, was living in Zaka district.
chief, Tafirei, who was born on January 12, 1936, was living in Zaka district.
