Beverly Bizeki
Conflicts circling around the Ndawi headmanship were on Friday (January 13, 2023) silenced after 88-year-old Tocksen Zviripi was finally installed Headman Ndawi at a colorful event held at Ndawi Primary School in ward 31 in Gutu.
Addressing attendees at the event FarmBiz co-director Misheck Maravanyika who is Zviripi’s son told the gathering that the installation of the headman marked the end of the conflicts around the issue.
“There is something disturbing that happens in our area. Ndawi has 5 houses and it’s not possible to have a gathering and fail to find one of them Zvekuti munhu anovhura muromo wekumusoro nezasi achitaura kuti hapana ishe zvigume nhasi, (the habit of saying that there is no headman in this area must come to an end),” said Maravanyika.
Maravanyika who later dismissed the matter as personal and emotional to the Ndawi family urged the family to work together in keeping the headmanship alive.
“Our headmanship is claimed by the oldest father figure in the family at the moment and my father hails from Tavatsvanga hence he is being installed as headman today,” said Maravanyika.
Maravanyika also urged members from the other Ndawi clan to unite and uphold the chieftainship and develop the area.
The last incumbent headman according to Maravanyika was Chibwanya who sat on the throne up to 2014 when he died and was succeeded by Pingurai as derera (acting) up to 2019 when selections were made.
Tobias Jaravaza was selected but was never installed probably due to Covid-19 restrictions until he died.
Zviripi was selected and appointed headman on November 25, 2022 and installed today.
In his closing remarks, Chief Gutu born Amon Edmond Masanganise urged members from the five families to bring an end to any conflicts and heed the leadership of the new Headman Zviripi.
“We expect all the Ndawi families to appreciate the new leadership we have appointed despite all the differences and conflicts that you might have had.
“The one who has been appointed is your leader but you are all belong to the royal family,” said Gutu.
Gutu Deputy District Development Coordinator Chiedza Tafirei wished the new headman success in his new position.
“The headmen supervises village heads in the performance of their duties. It is also his mandate to oversee the collection of development levies, taxes, rates and charges payable to Rural District Council in terms of the Rural District Councils Act,” said Tafirei.
Zviripi who is a former sales man at Farmers Co-op has 15 children, 24 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.
The Ndawi area which has been described as one of the developed areas in Gutu has 11 primary schools, 4 secondary schools, 3 clinics and 11 business centres.
