TellZim Reporter
One of Masvingo’s top architects, Cassian Mutsambiwa has died.
He was 58.
His brother Stern Mutsambiwa confirmed the death and said that the family had lost a unifier, who always made peace in the family.
“We have lost a unifying force as a family, as we knew that whenever there were disagreements, we would go to Cassian so that he could reconcile us.
“He will be laid to rest on Friday (March 3) at Lawn Cemetery in Masvingo,” he said.
Mutsambiwa who was the founder of Mutsambiwa Architects, was born on August 20 1963 in Mutare, where he attended his primary education in Dangamvura and Sakubva.
“He then went to Goromonzi for his secondary education before he went to study architecture in Cuba where he attained his first degree,” his brother said.
He then started working in the Ministry of Public Works in Zimbabwe during the mid-1980s before going into private practice in Mutare and later settled in Masvingo in the early 1990s.
The late Mutsambiwa held a Master’s degree from National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and at the time of his death was preparing for his doctorate at the same university.
He was part of the team that designed Masvingo Polytechnic while still working for another company.
Some of his outstanding work in Masvingo involve the spectacular Zion Christian Church Mbungo Mission building and he was also the Great Zimbabwe University architect who designed the Hebert Chitepo School of Law, Simon Mazorodze Medical School, Robert Mugabe School of Education as well as all the other recent GZU civil works projects.
He also worked on designing OK Supermarket, OK Mart in Masvingo and most recently OK Chivhu, among other designs.
“He designed the Masvingo Roman Catholic Cathedral, Morgenster Hospital and Mission, together with the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) new site. He also designed many houses in Rhodene, Zimre Park and other residential areas around Masvingo,” Stern Mutsambiwa said.
Mutsambiwa was also Masvingo Golf Club Captain before he was succeeded by businessman Stanley Kondongwe.
He reportedly had been on dialysis for some time before his death on March 1, 2022 at a private surgery in Masvingo.
He is survived by his wife and three children; two sons and a daughter.
Mourners are gathered at House Number 9 Baden Street in Rhodene, Masvingo.
