The Sunday Mail
Madenyika Philemon Kutama
I was born on June 16, 1934 and raised in Kutama where my brother, William, and I interacted closely with Robert Mugabe.
In fact, I am Robert’s maternal uncle, though much younger than him.
William and Robert were inseparable, spending a lot of time together, even when herding cattle or cultivating the fields.
I was still a toddler then, but always found a way to tag along whenever Bill went to see Bob.
Herding cattle was one of the core duties at home.
Our families had significant herds which we regarded as treasures.
So, the onus was on the young to rear cattle and protect livestock from thieves.
Many hours were thus devoted to this duty.
I looked up to both William and Robert, and sometimes took up the responsibility of herding cattle while they did other things.
Robert was always reading, a trait that differentiated him from other teenagers in the area.
He could spend the entire day at the pastures reading.
It just seemed as though he would never grow tired of his books.
They were part of his life, more like an addiction.
It was evident, though, that books shaped him in a big way. I was young then, but could tell that he was much wiser than other boys his age.
I am yet to see a person who loves books and education as much as Robert.
I have fond memories of our trips back home from the pastures after herding cattle.
It was always difficult for me to walk over such a long stretch, so Robert often gave me a piggyback.
That meant a lot to me as it showed how much of a loving person Robert is. He loves the next person just as he loves himself.
Ever smiling, he loved cracking jokes and enjoyed making me laugh.
As I grew older, I began to understand that he was academically gifted.
It was obvious that his first love was books, books first and everything else afterwards.
William certainly learnt a lot from Robert as he went on to become a successful auditor in South Africa where he worked until he died some years ago.
Another aspect Robert exhibited in his early days was clarity of mind.
Whenever an argument arose among peers, he was always the most sensible.
That and other qualities have never changed, he still loves me just as he did when we were young.
He always asks after me.
“Sekuru, are you well? Are you looking after yourself well?”
Although we do not see him frequently, he does not miss important family events.
He is always sure to attend any funeral in the family.
He is, no doubt, a family unifier, and continues to remind us of the importance of family.
Some of our relatives spend years without talking to us. However, Robert never forgets the Kutama people despite his status, busy schedule and commitments.
This is the kind of love he has shown from childhood.
Mr Madenyika Philemon Kutama shared these views with The Sunday Mail’s Chief Reporter Kuda Bwititi in Zvimba on January 31, 2017.
