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The late Chief Jonathan Mangwende

Tawanda Marwizi Herald Reporter
A memorial service for former Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs president Chief Jonathan Mangwende, who died in December 2013, was held at his rural home in Mukarakate Village in Murehwa on Saturday.Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs Minister Simbaneuta Mudarikwa, several Government officials and religious leaders attended.

Minister Mudarikwa said, “There is need to celebrate the life of a man who fought tirelessly in making sure that the values and morals of this country were followed.”

Mr Jeremiah Mashonganyika of the Apostolic Church spoke highly of Chief Mangwende.

Chief Mangwende was unanimously elected president of the Chiefs Council in July 1991, succeeding Chief Zephania Charumbira who died earlier that year.

He served as president of the council until 2005.

Chief Mangwende trained as a teacher at Nyadire Teachers’ College in Mutoko in 1957 and in 1969 he was appointed chief.

He was elected to the third Council of Chiefs in 1973. In 1974 he was elected senator. He was a member of the Chibero Agricultural College Council from 1973 to 1975.