The Sunday Mail
Sifelani Tsiko
Presidential Spokesperson Mr George Charamba’s most poignant moments were touching thank yous to people who had gathered to bid farewell to his wife – Idaishe Olivia – recently in Mutorashanga, about 100km northwest of Harare.
As he took to the stage and gave a solemn eulogy, thanking all for supporting the Charamba and Chengu families, he oozed a strong presence of mind to put things, tributes and gratitude in the proper African traditional perspective. There was outpouring of grief following the death of his wife, but as he stood to thank people who had come to support him, the Charamba and Chengu families, it was his rare ability to blend his speech with totemism that collapsed the weightiest emotion into a single note.
His speech sprinkled with mitupo/izibongo – totemism drew one of the biggest roars on the day as this connected people with a unifying tone. Mitupo refers to an animal, part of the animal, bird or snake that a person is connected to, according to veteran cultural writer Pathisa Nyathi.
Says Nyathi: “It defines and identifies one’s family line. Mitupo/Izibongo describes one’s spiritual identity. It is some kind of spiritual code. It defines one’s ancestry, blood or genetic line. It thus can be said to be one’s spiritual DNA or ID.
“Mitupo, izibongo are underpinned by some philosophy which posits that there is some unity within nature. Human beings, in their evolving form, are intrinsically linked to the earth and its flora and fauna. African philosophy perceives humans as comprising both material and spiritual components, with the latter being more potent.”
As Charamba spoke in a kind, thoughtful and passionate way, thanking people who had come to grieve with his family, the use of mitupo/izibongo resonated well with the mourners and this ticked almost all the boxes of the personality’s touch with the history and traditions of his country. It gave him an extended ovation and exhibited certain attributes uncommon with people who hold senior positions in our clime.
This made a significant difference for me.
“I’m truly humbled by the overwhelming support we have got from the senior and high-ranking members of the defence forces,” he said.
“Idaishe was saluted by all generals. She was a good woman, she was a great mother. This is the love that she radiated around her.
“Shoko, Mukanya (Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantino Guveya Chiwenga) tinokutendai zvikuru norubetsero rwamakatipa. . .ndinotenda Mhofu, mukoma wangu VaChihuri (Commissioner-General of Police Dr Augustine Chihuri), ndotendawo mukoma wangu Muyera Moyo – (Air Marshall) Perrance Shiri (Air Force of Zimbabwe Commander), ndozotenda Mambeva – VaBonyongwe (Central Intelligence Organisation Director-General Retired Major-General Happyton Bonyongwe) naVaZimondi (Commissioner-General of Prisons and Correctional Services of Zimbabwe, Retired Major-General Paradzai Zimondi).”
Mr Charamba recalled how Air Marshall Shiri would recall his Mhofu totem praises poetically. At any given point, his expression of gratitude was punctuated by totemic praises to all who supported him and the grieving families.
I felt strongly that this was the best vote of thanks I have ever heard from Charamba in years. And I can attest that these attributes define the essential George Charamba.
He is as honest as he is humble.
His humility was particularly telling when he thanked everyone; from President Mugabe and his entire leadership, the party, the people, the Chengu and Charamba family, friends, the media, the legal and medical fraternities, the business sector, parastatals to even his children, and all who grieved with the family. He fused his address with humour. And very few people have the temperament to absorb pain and gloss it over with humour like him.
Another area where Charamba’s distinction shone through was his abiding faith to have his wife buried at his in-laws place.
He stated boldly that it was his personal decision and that he did it for the sake of his children – both for his wife’s child, Tonderai, and the ones he sired with Idaishe.
It’s not an easy issue, but he handled it well and even openly told the media to write about it. He reasoned that burying Mrs Charamba at his Buhera rural home would have made it difficult for Tonderai to pay homage to his mother whenever he felt like it.
“I really wanted to maintain the unity of the family,” he said. “It was my personal decision. I see Tonde as my first born. He is my son,” he said as he drew one of the biggest roars for his extended tribute to his wife.
Another aspect I got to see at the funeral was his down-to-earth brutally frank disposition to issues; his unwavering support for President Mugabe and his leadership, unflagging stand on land reform and national interest. Charamba is unapologetic about his stand on land, his respect for the national leadership and hierarchy, and for all who put Zimbabwe’s interests first.
“I want to thank my brother from Ghana, Baffour Ankomah, and his wife for coming here to mourn with us. He was the first editor to stand for our cause when the rest of the international media was very hostile to us when we took our land back,” he said.
“Baffour was the first to say ‘Mugabe is Right’ on the front cover of the New African magazine. This became our rallying cry for Zanu-PF and Zimbabwe in defence of the land reform. His wife is the one who sew the African clothing designs both for me and my wife. I love African print and I want to say thank you to you, my brother, and your wife.”
Charamba also poured glowing praise on Sardc founding director Phyllis Johnson for her unwavering support to Africa’s liberation struggle and for having worked closely with his wife, Idaishe. He is a repository of knowledge and likes bantering with the Queen’s language, yet remaining undivorced from his mother tongue.
A wordsmith with passion for detail. His passion lights up new ideas. He teaches research, encourages eloquence and respect for the views of others. His wife’s funeral had so many life lessons. The little but enduring ones are: Let us learn to like each other, to be friends, to celebrate and enjoy our differences and to do so on the basis of common sense, respect and tolerance. .
This was a funeral of a sister, a mother, a wife, an aunt and a mentor. Idaishe has bequeathed to many a better place to live.
