Some fascinating history for you. Charwe (Nehanda) was hanged together with her brother Chibaga, and others who included Hwata and Gumboreshumba (Kaguvi).
The daughters of Chibaga and Gumboreshumba fled to the newly established Chishawasha mission to seek refuge.
The daughters of Chibaga and Gumboreshumba fled to the newly established Chishawasha mission to seek refuge.
Gumboreshumba’s daughter was called Dziripi. Chibaga’s daughter had been named by her aunt Charwe Nehanda, as their tradition demanded. Charwe gave this daughter the name Musodzi. Musodzi then took this name as her last name, was baptized Elizabeth and became Elizabeth Musodzi.
She grew up to be one of the first black women to receive a formal education in Rhodesia. She also went on to start a variety of women’s clubs. For her community work, she was honoured at a reception with King George VI when he made a royal visit to Southern Rhodesia in 1947.
She was permanently honoured by having the hall in Mbare named after her, Mai Musodzi Hall. She married Frank Ayema, a policeman, and had many descendants, among them Rhodesia’s first back nurse, and first black actuary.
From colonial trauma came a large family with deep roots
From colonial trauma came a large family with deep roots
I should add that some sources also say Nehanda or Nianda as they call her also had a daughter who fled to Chishawasha but I have only been able to verify Dziripi and Musodzi. In fact, the promise to see Dziripi was what got Kaguvi to convert to Christianity. It was not voluntary
