17 Apr LIFE AND TIMES OF AN ICON – MARTHA MUDZENGERERE
Story by Ranganai Tinashe Dzotizei in Harare, Zimbabwe
The late honorary advisor and one of the early leaders of the Ruwadzano RweWadzimai (RRW) organisation Mbuya Martha Mudzengerere was born Marita Nyamubaya on 1 January 1917 at Musunhi.
She changed her name to Martha, being the first born in a family of four, three girls and one boy.
She did her primary and secondary education at Nyadire Mission.
She got married to Reverend David Livingstone Takaiwana Mudzengerere in April 1948 and were blessed with eight children, six girls and two boys, 22 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren and 2 great great grand children.
She trained as a school teacher at Makosa school where the husband was the head master.
In 1956, the husband received a call to ministry and started at Old Mutare before being transferred to Mutoko Centre for six months.
In 1959, they were posted to Arnoldine Mission Farm from 1959-1962. She returned to teaching.
From 1963 to 1965, they moved to Nyanyadzi before being posted to Old Mutare Mission from 1965-1968.
Reverend Mudzengerere became District Superintendent in Murewa from 1969 to 1973 and there after went to Manyika from 1973 to 1974 with Mbuya eventually retiring from teaching.
Reverend Mudzengerere was then posted to Bulawayo Circuit from 1975 to 1978 before passing on on April 3, 1978.
Mbuya Martha moved to Chitungwiza in the same year, which became home up until the time of her passing.
In 1979, she started work as a social worker at Chitungwiza Council and was a pioneer for social services in Chitungwiza.
She worked there from 1979 to 1994 and retired. She has being an everpresent figure at Chitungwiza Circuit.
She wrote and launched her book Manamatiro Ekare (Old Time Religion) in 2019 and was now in the process of writing the second edition at the time of her death.
In the RRW, she held various positions in its early years becoming its chairwoman in the fifth group of leaders and later as advisor. She was the honourary advisor to date.
Her favourite song was Hakuna Hama Kupinda Jesu and she also loved Ishe Ndinzwei Nekufara.
She is survived by three daughters, Mary Martha Farirai Zvobgo, Angel Mawoneyi Priscilla Zisengwe and Nancy Brighter Hazvinei Mundewe.
She passed on on Wednesday 14 April 2021 in Chitungwiza and will be laid to rest on Sunday 18 April 2021 at Nyadire Mission.
The United Kingdom Mission Area joins the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area in mourning her departure yet celebrate a life well lived.
May her soul rest in peace.
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