FAITH NDOU
MASVINGO- Masvingo was plunged into mourning following the passing on of veteran educationist Alec McSamuel Tabe.
He was 68.
Tabe died at Cimas Hospital in Harare on Friday (22 May 2026) at around 23:00 hours, his son City of Masvingo Mayor Alec Tabe told The Midweek Watch.
According to the Mayor, his father succumbed to a cerebellar tumor caused by Tuberculosis.
He said his father had been unwell for three months prior to his passing.
Tabe was raised in his rural home at Mhukuro Village, Chibi.
Tabe dedicated his working life to teaching and school leadership.
Masvingo Provincial Education Director, Shylatte Mhike led in pouring tributes to the late veteran educationist and below is her speech at his burial in Chivi on Tuesday.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education joins the Tabe family, Rujeko Primary School family, Pensioners, Comrades and friends in mourning the untimely passing on of our colleague in Education, Alec Tabe, a dedicated educator and leader whose career spanned over four decades of loyal service to the Government of Zimbabwe. We however honor and celebrate an extraordinary journey of dedication, leadership, and unwavering service to the education system that he travelled.
Mr Tabe began his loyal service in the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education on the 1st of January 1981 as a young, visionary educator in Chivi District. It was the dawn of a new era for the education fraternity, as Mr. Tabe answered the call to shape the minds of tomorrow. His early brilliance did not go unnoticed; his sharp intellect and passion quickly earned him a promotion to Deputy Head at Makasi Primary School.
But true leadership cannot be contained. Driven by pure hard work, boundless commitment, dexterity, and a flawless sense of professionalism, Mr. Tabe was elevated to the prestigious post of Head at Tadzembwa Primary School in 2001 still in Chivi District.
“At Tadzembwa, he did not just manage; he transformed. Under his visionary guidance, the school witnessed a remarkable renaissance. He rebuilt its infrastructure and dramatically raised its academic standards, turning Tadzembwa Primary School into a thriving hub of excellence. His work was so impactful that it drew the admiration and study of various Responsible Authorities across the region and was sought after.
In September 2014, Mr. Tabe brought his wealth of experience to Rujeko Council Primary School in Masvingo, where he served with distinction until his well-deserved retirement in 2023. At Rujeko, his compassionate yet effective leadership style breathed new life into the institution. He pushed academic boundaries, shattered previous performance records, and maintained exceptionally high pass rates year after year. He left Rujeko not just as a school, but as a fortress of academic merit, colleagues can testify.
“Beyond the gates of his own schools, Mr. Tabe’s influence swept across the entire Province. Elected to the National Association of Primary Heads (NAPH), he served in various capacities with utmost diligence. He championed the growth of school football, nurturing young talents, and spearheaded robust Staff Development programs that elevated professional standards for school teachers and administrators nationwide. Furthermore, as an invaluable pillar of the Better Schools Programme (BSP), his immense contributions directly led to the successful construction of our state of the art District Resource Center and vital developments as a Team Player…….. His humor and professionalism will be missed in the education fraternity…..
“Mr. Tabe’s career was a masterclass in service. He did not just teach lessons from a textbook; he built classrooms, elevated communities, and molded thousands of lives. As we painfully bid farewell to him, his legacy is etched into the very bricks of our schools and the hearts of his students and colleagues.
“We say Go Well Colleague. May your Dear Departed Soul Rest in Eternal Peace and Power……….”
Alderman Richard Musekiwa, Councillor Ward 8, Masvingo City Council had this to say:
Sir Tabe, Elder Tabe
I had the privilege of working closely with Sir Tabe for over 10 years during his tenure as Headmaster of Rujeko Primary School. He was a dedicated educationist who served with discipline, humility, and a genuine commitment to the children of Rujeko.
His contribution to the community went beyond the classroom. Sir Tabe instilled a culture of hard work and respect in both learners and staff, and his leadership helped lay a strong foundation for many young people who have gone on to serve in different sectors today. To the residents of Rujeko, he was more than a headmaster — he was a mentor, a guide, and a pillar of the community.
We mourn his passing, but we also celebrate the legacy he leaves behind in the lives he shaped and the institution he built. May his soul rest in eternal peace,”.
Tabe went to Chisenga and Lundi for his primary and secondary education respectively.
For tertiary studies, he attended Morgenster Teachers College, Great Zimbabwe University, and Midlands State University.
He began as a teacher at Mangwana Primary School and went on to serve as Head at Jaka Primary, Senior Teacher at Makasi Primary and Head at Tadzembwa Primary.
Tabe is survived by his wife, four children, 12 grandchildren.
He was laid to rest on Tuesday at his homestead in Chivi where hundreds of people gathered to pay their last respects to the man who made many to be who they are today.
