A WATERFALLS family gathered on Saturday to pay tribute to their godfather, Joshua Muza Tangawabaiwa. At the time of his death, he had more than 100 grandchildren and great grandchildren. The ceremony celebrated Tangawabaiwa’s life of entrepreneurship, family devotion, faith, resilience and influence across Zimbabwe.
Speakers noted that he managed to educate all his children. He was 97. Entertainment was provided by Baba Mechanic Manyeruke, Jonah Chivasa and Kuda Mutsvene, adding a religious and community flavour to the programme.
Born on March 28, 1928, Tangawabaiwa rose from humble beginnings to build businesses around the country after starting out by selling clothes. “He later developed the trade name “Tangawabaiwa”, and grew his ventures to include shops, supermarkets, liquor businesses and a hotel. “All Tangawabaiwa’s friends made it in terms of a better life because of his wisdom and his heart to help and share with others,” said Dzingiso.
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One of the beneficiaries, Pastor Rosemary Mangwanya, said she and her husband, Apostle Stephen Mangwanya, received a stand from Tangawabaiwa, where they built their church. Tangawabaiwa’s 65-year-old daughter, Tendisa, described her father as a loving and caring man. “I was born at the time when my father was beginning to unpack and fulfil his dreams.
“He was so loving and he had the ability to change people around him for the better. “He preached love and unity to all his children,” she said. Another daughter, Tecla, said Tangawabaiwa met his wife in 1957, after their paths crossed when she was getting off a school bus on her way to Morgenster College.
She noted that the couple’s first son was kidnapped and was never found, a pain she said remained with the family for life. Tangawabaiwa’s daughter said he built his early life and business future by travelling across Zimbabwe on a bicycle, selling clothes and building trust “one customer at a time.”
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