A forgotten place where the buffalo people live

Both government and non-governmental organisations stand accused of shunning this area – whose inhabitants are hard-working peasant farmers but are also known for being vociferous and aggressive when provoked. This behavior is said to reflect their Nyati (Buffalo) totem – alluding to the combative nature of the buffalo when provoked.

Inspiring man

The little development that has come to this area has largely been spearheaded by local individuals who took it upon themselves to work for the betterment of their home area.

One such individual was the late Roger Boka, a businessman who is credited with bringing life to the area. Another inspiring man was the late Amon Shonge, who, after working the Zanu (PF) Secretary for Administration Didymus Mutasa at Cold Comfort Farm Society, St Faith Mission in Rusape, decided to replicate the successful projects in the area through the establishment of the Mukute farm society.

Shonge also worked closely with Guy Clutton-Brock – the only white-man to be declared a national hero by the Zimbabwe Government.

With the assistance of donors such as the Danish Aid from People to people and WFD, a German- based organization, Shongwe started the Weya Community Training centre. This offered courses in metal work, carpentry, agriculture, building and permaculture, attracting both locals and scores of trainees from different parts of the country.

Only hope

“I owe all that I have in life to Weya Training centre. I was trained as a carpenter at the centre in 1987. After qualifying, I worked for several furniture-making companies in Bulawayo before my retirement,” said Panonetsa July.

The training centre, which was widely seen as the only hope for raising living standards for the Chendambuya community, suffered a major blow on February 14 1986 when Shonge was involved in a tragic accident. His motorcycle was hit by a car along the Harare highway and he died instantly.

Following his death, the institution continued to function under the management of a board and an administration team that included foreign nationals who had been recruited by Shonge. On 14 July 1994, built with the assistance of German aid, the Amon Shonge Art Gallery was officially opened by President Robert Mugabe.

Vultures

Unfortunately, the economic meltdown that began with the land seizures of early 2000, saw the project crumble like a deck of cards in the absence of its founder. Rogue elements of the community descended on the project like vultures, salvaging anything they could use, and the centre is now a shambles.

“All my father‘s sweat and hard work has gone down the drain. Everything has been destroyed and we do not know where to start from. Everyone, including the administration team, has abandoned this project,” said Molly, Shonge’s eldest daughter, during a tour of the area by The Zimbabwean last week. The vandalised property is now in the custody of Shonge’s siblings, but the family is encountering numerous challenges in reviving the centre back to its glorious days.

Praying

“We are appealing to well-wishers to assist us in restoring our father’s dream. As a family we are determined to see this project functioning again but our major challenge is resources. We know we cannot adequately fill our father’s shoes, but with the assistance of the community and well-wishers, we can rebuild this centre as it was originally.” said Molly, who is named after Guy Clutton-Brock’s wife.

The family now resides in what were the first hostels for the cooperative society trainees. The Art Gallery is still partially intact but non-functional and is being used as classes for early childhood development lessons. Churches which regularly meet in an open area, formerly a tree nursery at the centre, are among those praying for the revival of Weya Community Centre. The Shongwe family has hopes that the churches might take over the Training Centre.

If restoration does not take place, will the Chendambuya people be a community remembered for all the wrong reasons?