Zimbabwe’s first black quantity surveyor Mahachi dies

Sifelani TsikoFact Check EditorOne of Zimbabwe’s first black registered quantity surveyors and former Harare Commission chairperson Michael Mahachi, has died. He passed away a week ago after a long illness.Mahachi, widely regarded as one of the leading figures in construction consultancy for several decades, died in Harare on July 27 at the age of 73.His son, Brian confirmed the death of his father in an interview.“Our family can confirm the passing of Michael Mahachi on Sunday, 27th July 2025, after a long illness. He was laid to rest on Wednesday, 30th July,” he said.Several organisations and professional bodies said his death will leave a huge gap in the country’s quantity surveying landscape.The Zimbabwe Institute of Quantity Surveyors said his demise was a profound loss of one of the founding fathers in the quantity surveying industry.“He was Zimbabwe’s first black registered quantity surveyor.He was a visionary mentor, pioneering practitioner, and property development icon whose selflessness shaped our profession.

His legacy of excellence and mentorship is irreplaceable. We honour his transformative impact and recommit to upholding his standards,” said Audily Chatora, president of the Zimbabwe Institute of Quantity Surveyors.“Rest in peace our guiding light.”The Construction Industry Federation of Zimbabwe (CIFOZ) chief executive, Mr Martin Chingaira said Mahachi’s death was a huge blow to the construction industry.“The whole industry is saddened by his death. It’s a huge loss to the construction industry.

We have lost a tried and tested man with vast experience. Now, we don’t know who is going to mentor others and give guidance to our industry.”Mahachi was chairman of the commission that ran the affairs of Harare between 2006 and 2013.As an astute businessman, he built one of Zimbabwe’s most successful quantity surveying firms.During his long career, Mahachi provided strategic advice on some of Zimbabwe’s most eye-catching public buildings.“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Michael Mahachi – Zimbabwe’s first black registered quantity surveyor, a trailblazer and mentor to many. His legacy in shaping the built environment and paving the way for others will never be forgotten,” Nyaradzo Group said in a statement.A quantity surveyor by profession, Mahachi held several chairmanship positions in the private sector.In 1981, he worked in the then Ministry of Works before joining a private firm, Nudds/Burns Partnership in 1984.In 1985, he became Zimbabwe’s first black registered quantity surveyor in private practice as he, together with some partners, formed Nudds, Mahachi and McComick Quantity Surveyors.After the departure of Nudds and McComick in 1990, Mahachi teamed up with another surveyor to form an all – black firm called Mahachi, Gwaze and Partners.In the same year, he became chairman of Intermarket Discount House, which he helped form together with his friend Nicholas Vingirayi.He was chairman of various organisations such as the First National Building Society (FNBS), Willdale Bricks and Mashonaland Holdings.Mahachi was also a board member of Batanai Holdings Finance.“The respected professional attended Kutama High School before training as a teacher.

He later embarked on a distinguished career as a quantity surveyor, a field in which he was a pioneer, becoming the first black person to qualify as a registered quantity surveyor in the country, having obtained his degree at the University of Natal,” Brian said.“His professional dedication was instrumental in the development of numerous buildings and projects across Harare and other parts of the country.”Mahachi leaves behind his wife and children.Share on FacebookPost on XFollow usSave

Originally published on Zimbabwe Herald

Source: Zimbabwe Herald