IN the heart of Mashonaland West province’s Kadoma district lies the town of Sanyati, a place known for its vibrant culture, rich tradition and resilient people.
Yet, amid the hustle and bustle of daily life, a remarkable tale of transformation unfolds.
This is the story of the newly-appointed Chief Hozheri, born Caiphus Chikwata, a man who journeyed from humble beginnings as a fishmonger to land the esteemed position of being a traditional leader guided by what he calls “God’s grace”.
Born in 1947, in a modest mining and farming village, Chikwata fell in love with fishing when he was a young boy and he has spent most of his time in the deep waters of Munyati River.
Little did he know that one day, the gods of fortune and fame would honour him with royalty.
His daily routine involved waking up before dawn, trekking to the riverbanks and casting nets in hopes of a bountiful catch.
With every fish caught, he supported his family and gained a deep appreciation for life’s simple pleasures.
One hot afternoon, while fishing to provide some extra income for his family, Chikwata faced an ordeal that would forever alter his path.
- Zanu PF 'threatens' terror attacks
- Former Zanu PF bigwigs eye return
- Co-operate to curb malaria, Mash West farmers urged
- Zacc arrests Mashwest acting director for abuse of power
Keep Reading
Had it not been for destiny, perhaps he could have died.
As he was setting up his nets in the river, a sudden splash interrupted his concentration.
A giant crocodile emerged from the waters, with its powerful jaws positioned to grab him by the leg.
He, however, survived the attack as the reptile missed him by an inch, planting its jaws into a sack containing millet offals, popularly known as masese, which he used to lure the fish to his nets.
“Ndakange ndafa (I nearly died). If it was not because of a sack that I was carrying, I could be history. The crocodile was confused and it attacked the sack instead of me,” Chikwata told NewsDay Weekender on the sidelines of his coronation recently.
After biting the sack, the reptile hurriedly went back into the edges of the river while he retreated to the shores in disbelief.
This encounter left him shaken to the core.
It is this close brush with death that sparked a deep spiritual awakening within Chikwata.
He recounted the crocodile attack, using it as a metaphor for overcoming adversity.
He believes it was a sign from God, that he still had plans for him and in this case, to lead his subjects.
“I have come a long way to become the person that I am today. Of course, I knew the line of chieftainship and that it was coming in our family, but I thought it would never come in our lifetime,” he said, adding “I thought that maybe the future generations from my family would take the position.”
Besides being a former fishmonger, Chikwata has worked for a few companies including being a supervisor at CMED (Pvt) Ltd.
His humble beginnings resonate well with his subjects, most of whom are small-scale miners and subsistence farmers.
In him, they see a traditional leader who understands their struggles first hand.
Jokobeth Munyaka, who is Chikwata’s younger brother, described the chief as “the chosen one”, just the way as Jesus chose fishermen as his disciples.
A villager, Josphat Munyati, expressed his joy over the installation of Chikwata as Chief Hozheri.
“We are happy in Sanyati that someone who knows almost everything that is done by his subjects from farming, mining to fishing. We hope his policies will help in making sure that future generations could also reap the blessings of the river that once defined his life among other notable areas of development,” Munyati said.
Chikwata was installed Chief Hozheri at a colourful event at Munyaka grounds, with thousands gathered to celebrate the elevation.
The event was graced by Local Government and Public Works minister Daniel Garwe, Chief Ngezi and Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs permanent secretary Josphat Jaji, among other high-profile dignitaries.
Garwe promised Chikwata that he would soon get a vehicle, cellphone as well as a solar-powered borehole at his homestead and a nutritional garden.
It is the traditional leader’s first time owning a vehicle.
Chikwata, of the Nyathi totem, succeeds Rabson Mudzingwa (89), who was appointed substantive chief following the death of his father Gochomu Jokoniya Mudzingwa, in 2018 at the age of 101.
He is the seventh Chief Hozheri, taking over from the previous leaders Matorera, Munyaka, Ndaba, Hozheri, Chikwava, and Mudzingwa.
Speaking at the event, National Chiefs Council president Lucas Mtshane Khumalo said the new position is a challenge to the traditional leader.
“The new position requires you to work together with the village heads and headmen to come up with ideas that are favourable to everyone,” he said.
Sanyati MP Polite Kambamura said a gap has been closed in his constituency.
“We had a gap in Sanyati and it has been closed today and the number of people that have attended this ceremony shows that the people have accepted him,” he said.
Chikwata’s tale is an inspiration to many as he rose from the dust to land loyalty.
From surviving a crocodile attack in the Munyati River, today he smiles as he believes he has secured his destiny.
