By A Correspondent – Former students, educators, political leaders, church representatives and members of the Makanyire family gathered in Gutu on Thursday to bid farewell to veteran educator Mr Thomas Nzengere Makanyire, whose decades of service to education earned him widespread respect.

Among those who attended the funeral at the Makanyire family homestead in Chivasa Village, Gutu East, was Citizens leader President Nelson Chamisa, who was among the former pupils profoundly influenced by the late educationist.

Chamisa joined members of the Makanyire family, former colleagues and students in paying their final respects to the former school head, with mourners travelling from different parts of the country to honour a man remembered for his commitment to education, discipline and character formation.

The gathering was attended by officials from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, church leaders, politicians from different political formations and several former students, including Mr Sugar Chagonda, Rev Judah Mashamba, Professor Tatira and Mr Chiorese.

Makanyire died on Monday, August 10, 2026, at Gutu Mission Hospital after battling a chronic heart condition. He was buried on August 13 at the age of 85.

Born in 1941, Makanyire was preceded in death by his wife, who died in 2019. He is survived by four children, 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

His career in education spanned several decades. He obtained a Bachelor of Honours Degree from the University of London and a Graduate Certificate in Education from the University of Rhodesia.

He began his career as a classroom teacher before progressing into school administration. He taught at Makumbe High School and later became Deputy Head at Gutu High School.

He was subsequently appointed headmaster of Alheit Mission High School, where he served from 1990 to 1996. It was during his tenure at Alheit that he taught and mentored Chamisa, Chagonda and numerous other pupils who later established themselves in different professions.

After leaving Alheit, Makanyire became head of Nerupiri Given High School, a position he held until his retirement in September 2011.

Delivering the eulogy, Chamisa remembered his former headmaster as a teacher whose influence extended far beyond the classroom.

He described Makanyire as “a great oasis of wisdom—a man who raised and mentored countless individuals through the selfless imparting of knowledge, skills, and moral values.”

Chamisa said the veteran educator combined intellectual ability with humility, noting that his approach to leadership and mentorship had left a lasting impression on generations of learners.

The Citizens leader also used the funeral to highlight the important role educators play in national development, arguing that teachers should receive better remuneration and improved conditions of service.

He said the country could not afford to overlook the contribution of teachers, emphasising that “no nation can rise above the quality of its teachers.”

Chamisa called for greater investment in the education sector, saying that honouring educators such as Makanyire should extend beyond funeral tributes and include meaningful efforts to improve the welfare of teachers.

For his former students and colleagues, however, Makanyire’s greatest legacy was the generation of young people he helped shape.

His final journey brought together people from different walks of life, reflecting the enduring influence of an educator who spent much of his life preparing others for theirs.