Saurombe Chieftainship Restored

By Steve Ephraem

The Government of Zimbabwe on July 05, 2024, restored the previously downgraded Chimanimani chieftainship named Saurombe.

70 years ago the chieftainship was put under headsman and the Saurombe clan was being administered by Chief Muusha.

Saurombe, of the heart totem (Sithole), shares the same ancestry with Chief Mutema of Chipinge and Chief Ngorima of Chimanimani.

The substantive Chief, Oliver Saurombe, was installed by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe who was represented by the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza.

In his speech, the minister indicated that the Saurombe chieftainship is rotated among five houses, being Mastiki, Munhumwanda, Munhuwira, Kamonya Masikati and Maziberaand the house of Mastiki is the one whose chance had arrived.

“The oldest male [in the house of Mastiki] is one Oliver Saurombe who became the first chief after resuscitation. The chief whom we are installing here today was born the 15th of April 1938.  He is the first born son of the late Robinson Saurombe and Emily Zisengwe. He is 85 years old and the first born in a family of nine,” he said.

The Saurombe chieftainship was considered for restoration in 2022. Since then, flamboyant entrepreneur and culturist, Raymond Saurombe, was in acting position. Now, Raymond is one of the nine village head under Chief Saurombe. Their jurisdiction has a population of 3,314 people.