Cephas Shava
The Masvingo community was plunged into mourning recently following the untimely death of former Town Clerk Adolf Gusha, who had served at the helm of Masvingo City Council for 15 years, after a short illness.
Gusha who died in Chinhoyi on his way from Kariba was buried at Mangwandi Cemetery in Masvingo and people from all walks of life came to bid him farewell.
Former Masvingo City Mayor Collen Maboke said apart from being a hard worker, Gusha was a unifier and an approachable person who contributed much to his successes during his tenure as mayor.
“Gusha was a unifier who brought people from different political parties in council together and even the management team too. He had his own ways of addressing challenges always. Above all he was a hard worker and was approachable that even junior workers could approach him with all kinds of issues to seek for advice before they could go for hearing sometimes.
“Masvingo was able to get a city status under his able leadership and I applaud him for the hard work. When my term together with my team of councilors started Gusha was supposed to retire but we had to renew his contract for six months so that we could be able to learn from him. I was able to finish my term well in council because of him and today we can attribute some of the achievements we made to him,” said Maboke.
Masvingo resident and pastor Dr Munyaradzi Chidarikire mourned the late and said council had managed to make greater strides under his leadership and implored the sitting councilors led by Mayor Aleck Tabe to name at least one street after him.
“I worked with hardworking and dedicated former TC Gusha when I was School Development Committee Chairperson at Rujeko Council Primary School. Together with council, he supported education through their primary schools located in different locations in Masvingo city.
“The majority of council schools in the city are producing the best grade 7 results. Under his leadership Masvingo had the cleanest water in the country and in addition the city won many local and international awards for the best services.
“I urge Mayor Tabe, all councilors and management to name a street in recognition of the great work done by Gusha,” said Dr Chidarikire.
Another resident Sungano Zva- rebwanashe said Gusha was approachable and continued to contribute positively even after
retiring from council.
“We worked very well with Mr. Gusha when he was still serving in council but even after he had retired, he was still approachable because of his friendliness. You could reach him to seek for advice,” said Zvarebwanashe.
Local business person Pascal Mudzikisi who once worked with Gusha described him as a humble and fearless leader who brought people together.
“He was humble but with brains, a good leader who could go into the lion’s den uninvited. Above all he could accommodate everyone,” said Mudzikisi.
Gusha retired in 2019 and was replaced by Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa who is the current town clerk.
Gusha joined Masvingo City on August 1 1987 as deputy director of housing and amenities and rose through the ranks until he became town clerk. He had also served as Chamber Secretary before.
