Air Zimbabwe pilot, Captain Simon Thalon Moyo (62) was Friday installed headman Godzi in Mangwe District’s Ward 7 under Chief Tjanguluba (Sangulube) at a colourful ceremony held at Brunapeg Mission Primary School grounds.
The role of a headman, according to the Traditional Leaders Act is among other things, to assist the chief in his day-to-day duties.
Scores of people who included relatives and friends from Mangwe, Bulilima, Botswana, and other places who gathered for the ceremony could not contain their joy.
Shelton Lubimbi’s poem of praise crafted for the headman on his special day was played to the gathering.
Women from Mabuledi also provided entertainment in the form of traditional music while there was also a dance for all as villagers celebrated their headman before the crowd could shower him with gifts.
In one of the songs villagers celebrated the elevation of the headman, acknowledging they had long waited for the day.
“I feel greatly honoured to address you at this very important historical occasion, where we are gathered today to officially install Simon Thalon Moyo as headman Godzi,” said Chief Tjanguluba. “The Godzi headmanship came into existence when I was elevated from headman to chief. I, therefore, nominated Simon Thalon Moyo from the Godzi clan that was a village headship to become headman Godzi.”
The area under the jurisdiction of Headman Godzi is Brunapeg, Ward 7, Mangwe District, a vast area of more than 150 square kilometres in size.
located along Sanzukwi River, the area covers six villages, namely: New Line 1, New Line 2, Old Line 1, Old Line 2, Phathisanani 1 and Phathisanani 2 and has a total population of about 696 households and approximately 3, 903 people.
“To Headman Godzi, I say let’s work with our people,” said Chief Tjanguluba.
“Let’s unite and work and develop our area. Let’s see to it that our children go to school, let’s try by all means to ensure that school fees for our children are paid. Let’s try by all means to build our schools so that our children get the education.”
Moyo’s brother, Tabona Masole who lives in Botswana, and local relatives challenged the headman to love God and his people while working with them in love and peace.
Speaking earlier on, Father Hlakanipha Dube, a priest at the Catholic-run Brunapeg Mission, paid tribute to the headman for choosing the mission to be his place of installation.
“I thank headman Godzi for selecting his former school to be the revenue of his installation,” said Father Dube.
“I have few words for the headman-elect today as a priest and also representing the Brunapeg Mission. His mother was a Catholic and he has great respect for the Catholic Church. Headman elect, I want to say to you today: congratulations. Today you are going to be installed to be a headman. God has called you to this position.”
He further said: “We all belong to you; the poor, rich, the educated, the weak, the strong, the vulnerable, especially vulnerable adults, vulnerable children, vulnerable girl child. May you create a culture where all these vulnerable people are protected. We all belong to you. Today, you have become our father, look after all of us as your children. As a church, we wish you well.”
