Rarely do families gather to celebrate foundational legacy of love and unity exemplified and stamped by their elderly. In some cases, the elderly are accused of witch craft hence they suffer loneliness, neglect and labeled. It was a beautiful afternoon when the Kamuchira in Magunje under Chief Dendera gathered to give hearty emotional testimonies of their living legends.
“There are great lesson we learnt from our elderly which we wish we can learn and emulate and pass it on to our children and grandchildren. Whilst we still have these legends amongst us, we have gathered to blend our different generations; us the children of the legends, our own children who are in the late twenties and mid-thirties, and our grandchildren. It is the effort to blend these three generation that inspired this family gathering.
“Our legends had true unity and love, a fibre that held the family together without defined extended families. Few and limited resources were shared with love as they felt for each other. Our fathers would share the educational classes, one goes today and the other goes tomorrow so that each one has the same level of education. Our generation is not closely knitted as of our legends. Today, brothers cannot accept a brother’s child to stay with or assist with school fees. They treated the child of a brother as their own and even our legend mothers accepted such responsibilities heartedly. We are challenged to keep contact with the upcoming generation with love.’’
These legends are a challenge to us because today as brothers we find it difficult to take care of each of our brotherss’ children. Even to help with school fees is very difficult. We have gathered here so that we may ignite this love were are celebrating,” said Howard Kamuchira, the elder son.
Children of the daughters often, called vana vevakuwasha, found solace in the welcoming hands of the Kamuchira family. They testified to the legacy of love and purpose of life instilled in them.
“We learnt a lot from our uncles’ love and accepting us to grow up in their home and they treated us like their own sons and daughters. They encouraged us to go to school, work hard and good behavior which molded us to be what we are today.
“They taught us to pray. We learnt that God raiseth the poor out of the dust and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill. Our mother taught us to be responsible and hard work as a widow.
“I encourage other families to have love, acceptance and to discipline their children because it helps them to be better people. Teach your children to pray and fear God,” said Memory Chiuriri
Amongst the celebrated legends is the eldest son in the family, Wilton Kamuchira who testified to the love and unity their fathers had which knew no boundaries as a family.
“I stayed with Baba Sunwel Kamuchira (young brother to my father) who was teaching at Chidamba School in Mashonaland Central. I was later accepted into the hands of my father’s brother Dzvaka who was working in Kwekwe. I am based in Kwekwe till today because of the welcoming hands of these legends. I cherish the love that I received from our mothers, it was true love that helped me to be what I am today, “said Wilton Kamuchira.
The legends were grateful to be celebrated when still alive. The testified the goodness of god who inspired their children to organize such a family gathering.
“I am so grateful to the Lord for such a loving family that has organized such a family event in honour of us. God has given us life and it is good to hear such testimonies coming from our children. I want to thank our wives who were so receptive and accepted to heartedly take care of children of our clan. Today, we are here because of the good wives that helped build our clan.
“We believe in the going concern of the clan hence it was not a burden to take care of our brothers’ children. We are grateful to our children for such an honour,” said Mr Sunwell Kamuchira.
Mr Sunwell Kamuchira is a respectedretired educationist.
The event was attended by friend and relatives who appreciated such a family gathering which is a are occasion in many families.
