By Lovemore Derera aka Natural Mystic
Kutama Old Boys Association — KOBA Class of 1989 latest Get Together was themed “In Pursuit of Excellence” as a special tribute to one of our own who has been making the headlines, for all the good reasons. Dr Simukai “Skinner” Machawira is the county’s foremost or chief heart surgeon and known properly as a Cardiothoracic Surgeon.
First the great news was that open heart surgery was now possible in Zimbabwe. Dr Machawira was head of that record breaking team.
Then a couple of months later he made the headlines again. This time it was a record breakening 1st ever video assisted thoracic surgery in Zimbabwe. If this is not excellence in his field then someone please define excellence for me. The gods were agreeable to our plans to have Saturday 27 April 2024 as a day which was set aside to value, appreciate and thank the incredible Dr Machawira.
The cool weather with sporadic bursts of sunlight was more than excellent for a day of carousing and Skank – ing to the reggae beat. The world acclaimed “Aguilla Rouge “( “Red Eagle ” for the non polyglots) in Ruwa was an excellent venue with a succulent culinary range and a top notch entertainment plan.
The host with the most, Dr Bernard Madzima was not only gracious but magnanimous . Veteran world class Radio Presenter Terrence Mapurisana aka The Hotstepper-Radio Commissioner General was in his element, supported by his Executive Producer Rex KB Kabwato.
The stage was set for an outstanding time out. Our guests of honour included Dr Machawira’s brothers and family members whilst our own Evans Mushonga and Obert Chumba met with most of the group for the first time in 35 years.
Our young brothers Walker Ntini and “The ” Don” Saruro were welcome observers.
Also present were members from ardent Classic 263 Radio FM listeners groups called “The Steppers” led by its patron Meron Mushayavanhu and members of “Big Boys and Big Girls”. We also had colleagues of Dr Machawira, Nyamasvisva of “Mbira Dzenharira ” fame and his bevy of dreadlocked beauties also graced the occasion. And the Red Eagle patrons were not to be left out. It was full house.
Pastor Regis Mhofu Nyamaropa was in fine fettle as an anointed maitre D. There was a painful moment of silence for the controversial Oscar Muswibe who recently departed from within our midst. Dr Madzima gave a moving and insightful testament on the tedious and arduous journey that Dr Machariwa embarked on in his persuit of excellence.
His St Ignatious Educated young brother spoke glowingly about his elder bro and the impossible high bar that he set not only for the family but the clan, the tribe, the nation and the race. Another Doctor brethen who met with the Drs’ Madzima and Machawira at Medical school, Dr Anton Machaire, a physiotherapist Brooke Chimoto, we also had Dr Mathias Mukona and Dr Gerald Madziyire attesting to the excellent works that Dr Skinner is doing. The man of the moment himself took time to unravel the intricacies and complexities of what he chose as his career and calling.
He was not satisfied with attaining those land marks but was after providing Zim Healthcare with as good a service as such African giants like Egypt are providing. Watch this space for more record breaking endeavours.
By this time, you should know that the merry waters were flowing copiously. And the skank-ing. I cannot say that DJ Hotstepper RCG Mapurisana imitated the music of our heady teenage days but it was like he was operating a time machine as he played music from Bunny Wailer, The Twinkle Brothers, Joseph Hill and Culture, Zimbabwe Dread, Negrea Love Dub, Bob Marley, UB40, Peter Tosh, Wailing Souls, Burning Spear, among other reggae legends.
We went back in time. Recall the “Jacking Zone “from the DJ Hitman Hosiah Singende. It was time for some Nostalgic stuff. He played the whole range from Colonel Abrahams “Trapped”, Funk. . . Soul. . . Rhythm and Blues, and Reggae. Boy did I say reggae. It was Roots. It was Rockers. It was Lovers. It was Rub-a-dub. It was “wickid ” in patois. The whole spectrum from Gregory Isaacs, Don Carlos, Joseph Hill, Dennis Brown, Bob Marley . . . To Pied Pipers. If ever anyone had doubts about what the Reggae General can produce over the air/sound wave, they were quickly dispelled. And the drinks kept coming . . . and we went – a-skank -ing. The KOBA class of 89 provided chicken and sausage were export quality. The caterers also equal to the task. The atmosphere electric. Dr Machawira, a dancer of note, did justice to all the songs… skanking to his heart’s content. Why not. It was his day. . . “And all man would leap and Shake ” (in an LKJ Isoto voice ). The Spiritually charged maitre d and pastor had to consciously stop his body from responding to the infectious tune after tune belted sonorously. In the absence of the Charismatic and stand-up class comedian cum chief Chorister Dez Ali, Gamaliel Mhofela Bwanya more than aptly filled in those big shoes.
The Kutama song, a perennial highlight of any of our gatherings was sung at full blast and full throttle under his conduction. I
n the throng, hustle and bustle of the skank-ing, the Family Man Foundation Founder and logistics guru , one Billy Musa showed why he has many talents. It was with a heavy heart that Red Eagle had to be vacated for the day. I do not know if mere mortals like l can tell the good Doctor Machawira to keep it up…. or even dare him to do better. Whichever on whatever . . . Dr Skinner . . . We are thoroughly proud of thee.
Thank you to all who were part of this event. The logistics department, sponsors, well wishers, The participants -Otto Chimwanengara, Barthy Maunga, Amon Murungweni, Alois Nheta, James Matambo, Evans Mushonga, Obert Chumba, Del Rusike, John Mahachi, Gamaliel Bwanya, Regis Nyamaropa, Walker Ntini, Dr Benard Madzima, Ronald Mukwamba, Philip Mhiko, Don Saruro our guests (and you if I didn’t mention you) . . .and of course the main man Dr Madzima for giving us yet another reason why Class of ’89 is a cut above the rest. One Love.
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