The Sunday Mail
Tendai Chara
“Heroes are ordinary people who make themselves extraordinary.”
This definition of a hero by Gerard Arthur Way, an American singer and writer best describes the persona of the late John Abraham, a man who was revered by Harare’s Mabvuku and Tafara communities.
Unlike in the movies or in novels where the hero is portrayed as a person who combats adversity through impressive feats, the late Abraham, who was better known as John Mariro, was not the movie-type super hero.
Instead, he was a mentally-challenged and epileptic man who was greatly admired by the two communities for his ability to help others in various ways.
A Grade Seven drop-out, Mariro won the hearts of the community by doing the simplest of things – he attended almost every funeral in the community where he distinguished himself as a man who helped in every way possible.
At funerals, Abraham willingly conducted the errands that many people would shun – from chopping the firewood to digging the graves, easing the burden on those that would have lost their loved ones in the process.
He was described as someone who was there to help others and give them strength to go on through life’s difficulties
Nicknamed John Mariro (mariro is a Shona word for funeral), he also entertained mourners as he often took to the floor, where he exhibited rare dancing routines that left mourners in fits of laughter.
A comic character of some sort, Mariro often wore two oversized jackets and wore his shoes the wrong way.
The sele dance, in which the dancers wriggle their waists, was among many of his favourite dance routines.
Although Mariro would provide his services for free, he would, however, gladly accept tokens of appreciation, especially alcoholic drinks, which he was said to be very fond of.
Without John Mariro, a funeral in the community would be a drab, sombre affair.
Sadly for the local community, their hero was found dead last week after he had gone for his usual drinking sprees.
It is suspected that he succumbed to epileptic fits, although some of the locals are suspecting foul play.
Part of the crowd that gave John Mariro a befitting send-off
People thronged both the St Alphanous Roman Catholic Church and the Tafara Cemetery as they bade farewell to this hero.
Condolence messages poured in even from locals who are now resident in the diaspora whilst Mariro’s funeral procession brought the community to a virtual standstill.
Burials were suspended at Tafara Cemetery as the community gave the man they dearly loved a befitting send-off.
Among those in attendance were children, whom locals said he regarded as his best friends and other members of the community.
The local legislator, James Maridadi, dug into his pockets and paid for the deceased’s burial space.
“Although he was mentally-challenged, he did what the so-called sane people would not do. He was a valuable asset to the community. If I were to translate his worthiness into financial terms, then he was worth more than a million dollars,” said Mr Grandson Ngulube, the St Alphanous Roman Catholic Church caretaker, who had known Mariro for the past 26 years.
“He rarely missed church services and was one of our ushers. Unlike some people who are selfish, the late Mariro could go about whatever you told him to do without complaining.
If we had a special place where we would bury our heroes, John would have certainly been buried there,” Mr Ngulube said.
The late Mariro’s niece, Theophora Kanyuchi, has seemingly taken over from where he left.
The Sunday Mail Extra caught up with her at a funeral in the neighbourhood where she was re-living Mariro’s life, much to the amusement of mourners.
“His life is worth celebrating. He was our hero. He made life easier for people during trying times. The community will dearly miss him,” said Kanyuchi.
