ACTING President General (Retired) Dr Constantino Chiwenga has joined Catholic leaders, clergy, and relatives in paying tribute to long-serving Jesuit Brother Jonathan Chazura, who was laid to rest at Chishawasha Mission this Monday.
Brother Chazura, who dedicated 49 years to missionary work, was remembered as one of the most revered administrators in the history of the Roman Catholic Church in Zimbabwe.
The solemn funeral ceremony, attended by the Acting President and hundreds of mourners, reflected on the life of a man described as selfless and steadfast in his service to the Church and humanity.
Acting President Chiwenga, himself a devout Catholic, described the late Brother Chazura as “rich in human warmth” and praised his commitment to empowering young people.
“He was dedicated to ensuring the development of the youth, and would go out to look for scholarships. We have a child who was assisted by the late Brother Chazura to get a scholarship to South Korea. She is now completing her degree, and I promise that even as our Brother has left us, we will make sure she completes her studies,” he said.
The late Brother Chazura was also described as an illustrious mentor who was deeply sensitive to today’s challenges.
“As a church, let us follow the lessons of our departed brother. We have a role to play in shunning drug and substance abuse. There is no life in Mutoriro,” the Acting President said.
His family, the Society of Jesus, and Southern Africa have lost not only a father figure, but a pillar of strength and inspiration.
“We have indeed lost a pillar, a beacon that illuminated everyone’s life in our family,” a family representative, Simbarashe Chazura stated.
“We have lost a great man. It will be difficult to replace such a man, who was hardworking and honest. He lived an exemplary life that should be emulated by everyone,” Father Lawrence Daka of the Roman Catholic Church said.
“I worked with him from 1976. He was passionate about working with the youth, and it is a passion that he successfully maintained over the five decades of his life in ministry,” Father Fidelis Mukonori added.
After 67 years, it was a moment to pass on the final goodbye to a man who touched several lives.
The late Brother Jonathan Chazura’s candlelight may have faded, but his legacy will forever be cherished by those he leaves behind.
