Chief Dendera Dies Aged 90

Long-serving traditional leader Chief Dendera, born Noah Kerechani, from Mashonaland West has died. He was 90.

His death was confirmed by Chief Dandawa on Saturday. Said Chief Dandawa:

Chief Dendera had been unwell for quite some time. In his passing on, as chiefs from Hurungwe, we have been robbed of an astute advisor and counsellor.

Unlike most traditional leaders in Zimbabwe who are part of the ruling ZANU PF’s patronage system, Chief Dendera, who died earlier this past week, was largely viewed as rational and non-partisan.

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The opposition MDC Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa has sent a message of condolence to the family of the late traditional leader. MDC Alliance provincial spokesperson, Blessing Mandava said:

MDC Alliance Mashonaland West chairperson Ralph Tawanda Magunje and the entire MDC Alliance family pays homage to Chief Dendera of the Nzou totem, who passed on after a long illness.

We would like to pay our deepest condolences to the Dendera family and the entire Dendera chiefdom on the sad passing on of one of our traditional pillars in Mashonaland West.

He was a revered leader in his chiefdom who was humble, nonpartisan and patriotic. A leader of such calibre is a rarity and a priceless gift to society whose death created a void that shall never be easy to fill.

He was a leader pregnant with wisdom and wished the best for Zimbabwe. The late chief was the embodiment of real Zimbabwean chieftainship.

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More: NewZimbabwe.com