Tawanda Homba
Masvingo – The late Fr. Walter Nyatsanza who was the immediate past Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of Masvingo will be laid to rest on Friday at Gokomere Mission.
Fr. Nyatsanza died while preparing conduct mass at St Franci Xavier Ngundu Parish.
He was a talented priest who served in various capacities, including as Vicar General to Bishop Chiginya, Rector of Mazowe Pre- Seminary, and Secretary to the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
Thousands of mourners from all walks of life are expected to converge at Gokomere Mission to pay their last respects to the dedicated man of God.
He was born on 15 March 1954 at St. Joseph’s Mission, Hama in Chirumanzu to the late Fausto Douglas Nyatsanza (a teacher) and Cecilia Muchawana Makarudze.
He was born in a family of eight and is the second born (6 boys and 2 girls).
He did his primary education Sub A to Standard 2 at St. Dominic Muteyo in Chiredzi, Standard 3: St. John, Nyamudeza, Katere in Nyanga as well as St. Paul’s Mandyoro, Zaka.
From 1967 to 1969 for standard 4 to 6 he went to St. Anthony’s Mission in Zaka.
After finishing his primary education he did secondary education from 1970 to 1973 at Chikwingwizha Minor Seminary, Gweru
Seminary Formation from 1973 to 1980Philosophy Studies at Chishawasha Regional Major Seminary, Harare and Theology Studies at Chishawasha Regional Major Seminary in Harare.
On August 16, 1980 he was ordained Priest at St. Anthony’s Mission in Zaka.
In August 1988 he was the Master of Ceremonies at the historic Mass held by Pope Jonh Paul II Borrowdale in Harare.
Fr Nystsanza in 1976 he did his Diploma in Philosophy with Chishawasha Regional Major Seminary. In 1979 he obtained Diploma in Theology with University of Zimbabwe.
In 1990 he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Dual Honors Degree in Philosophy and Religious Studies with University of Zimbabwe, 1997 Masters in Philosophy with University of Zimbabwe, October 2021 a Doctor of Philosophy in Theology with UNISA.
Fr Nyatsanza published Deathbed Reflections of Bishop Tobias Chiginya to Mambo Press Gweru in 1993, The Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops on the Land Issue: 1959-2002, Harare, 2002 , Several Articles in Magazines and Periodicals, national and international.
In 1981 he was assigned for Pastoral Year, St. Alois Silobela, Gweru, 1982-1984 Assigned to St. Ambrose Matibi, serving Neshuro, Maranda and Rutenga.
In 1985-1987 he was Vicar General of Gweru Diocese as well as Education Secretary.
Between1991 to 1992 Fr Nyatsanza was a Rector of Chikwingwizha Minor Seminary, Gweru Diocese.
In 1994 to 1995 Rector of St. Charles Lwanga Seminary, Chimanimani, Mutare Diocese, 1996-1998 Rector of Mazowe Pre-Major Seminary.
In 1998 to 2004 Fr Nyatsanza was appointed ZCBC Secretary General.
From 2007 to 2009 he was in Masvingo Diocese and appointed the Rector of Bondolfi Teacher’s College.
In September 2009 he was appointed Priest in-Charge of St. Barbra Mashava and in 2009 to 2022 Vicar General of Masvingo Diocese.
From 2017 to June 2022 he was the Priest in-charge of St. Joseph’s Nemanwa Mission.
In December 2020 he celebrated his 40th anniversary of priesthood at St. Joseph’s Nemanwa Mission.
In June 2022 to February 2024 he served as Priest in-charge of St. Barbra Bangala Mission in Renco.
At the time of his death he was Priest in-charge of St. Francis Xavier Ngundu Mission.
He was also member of Presbyteral Council, Member of Safeguarding Committee, Representative to the Council of the Catholic University in Zimbabwe, Health Coordinator, Ex-officio of Caritas Masvingo.
