SYDNEY MUBAIWA
CHIPINDA- Headman Chipinda born Girison Baye has died.
He was 94.
Headman Chipinda died on April 12 at his homestead in Chipinda, Zaka district after battling with chest and leg pains. He was buried at his rural home on Monday, April 14.
Chipinda attended Chipinda Primary School for his Sub A and B before proceeding to Pamushana Secondary School for his Standard 1 to 6.
After school, he joined Meikles Department Store Gweru branch in 1949.
From 1951 to 1956, he worked for Duly’s Motors as an assistant mechanic in Gweru.
He became a pastor in the Apostolic Church Masvingo Province from 2005 before he was appointed advisor to the Apostolic Church Board in 2019.
During his years working in Gweru, Baye formed a friendship with Rev Morgan James Kopeya Sengwayo who inspired and mentored him into evangelical service. He resigned from full time employment on November 6, 1956 to become a full-time gospel preacher in his home village.
He was an influential and diligent preacher such that he established church branches in several areas in Masvingo province including Veza and Mutimwi in Zaka district, Mashoko and Machido in Bikita as well as Vumba in Gutu. He also oversaw the establishment of a place of worship in Chakapwa Village in Chipinda.
He was appointed a Village Head in 1977 before he was appointed a substantive Headman for Chipinda area under Chief Nhema in 1985.
Baye was elected as Ward 1 councillor under the Zanu-PF ticket from 1990 to 1995.
In 1992, he was appointed the Presiding Officer of the Chipinda Primary Court by the then Minister of Justice and Legal Parliamentary Affairs and current President Mnangagwa.
Dating back to the liberation struggle, together with a local businessman Makaya, he provided material support to the freedom fighters who camped in the area through providing them with food.
During his tenure as headman, he spearheaded several projects for the people in his area including the establishment of Rumwanda Primary and Secondary schools.
He also spearheaded the establishment of Chipinda Clinic, saving many people from walking long distances for medical care.
Speaking during the funeral service, Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial chairman Robson Mavhenyengwa described the late Baye as a dedicated leader who deserved a hero status.
“We have written to His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa seeking a hero status for the late headman Baye. He spearheaded several developmental projects including his evangelical works,” he said.
Baye is survived by wife Fungai Maenje, 8 children (five boys and 3 girls), 30 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Senior Zanu-PF officials including the National Consultative Assembly (NCA) member Willard Chiwewe, Zaka North Member of Parliament Opheous Murambiwa, Ward 1 Councillor Svinurai Chivore, headman Muroyi, headman Mushangwe, Apostolic Faith Church Board members also attended the burial.
