Fare Thee Well My Hero My Brother

By Dr Masimba Mavaza

The only certainty in a hero’s life is that it could end at any moment. As a hero, Mukoma Joe could not banish dangers but could banish fears.But Joe, the hero who has lost his life in battle with cancer, will not be forgotten soon. Those of us who knew him best will tell stories of his bravery, his heroism, and his sacrifice.We will talk of how he stood by us through thick and thin and how we saved each other’s lives more than a few times.

Monday, September 16, 2024, will forever be etched in our minds and hearts, having been registered as the day one of the heroes in Zimbabwe passed on.We will carry the memory of mukoma Joe in our hearts forever; we will celebrate his life, and we will cherish the memories of his fierce loyalty, unwavering convictions, and deep, faithful love to our country, our culture, and the family at large. To the Mavaza family, he was a father figure, a versatile and principled man who stood for what he believed in without fear.

Many Zimbabweans will remember him for playing a pivotal role in the liberation struggle of Zimbabwe and, above all, his contribution to the police in the post-independence era. This hero is gone from this life, but he is not forgotten. He will live on within us. Death is not the end of his story, merely the next chapter.

The news came mukoma Joe was sick. There is always a tendency to assume that all will be well. We even dispatched prayers, and we felt more comforted after prayers. But it was not meant to be. All that is left now is to thank him for being my role model, my mentor, and my friend. We had our fights and our disagreements, but blood has always been thicker. Thank you for the love, the laughter, and the countless memories. I will carry his memory in my heart forever and strive to honour him in all that I do.My heart has been broken open into a million little pieces.I miss him so much already. The pain is indescribable and unbearable.

Mukoma Joe was larger than life. Mukoma Joe, born Josephat Mavaza, had the heart of a lion.He never quit. He never gave up.And life was hard on him, but he was hard right back.Given what he lived through, this is saying something.He was an OG, an old soul, and wise in the ways of life and the streets. As he grew up, his street name was Joe Mascanda Va.

The role he played in my life is as big as it gets. From the jump, he took me under his wing and became my big brother in all the ways. My first Jean trousers were bought by him. It was called Stone Wash.

If not for him, I am not where I am today, full stop. He was the third born in a family of ten. Eight girls and two boys. When i grew up, I was the only boy because he was already a man. 

In 1978, he crossed to Mozambique to join the liberation. He was brought back home, and in 1980 he joined the newly formed Zimbabwe Republic Police, which changed from the BSAP. He rose to the rank of assistant inspector and retired in 1988. He taught me how to toughen up when it mattered.And he played this role our whole life through the example you set. Indeed, he loved his wine and beer, and he spoke his mind without measure.

He made friends and enemies because of freedom of speech. But he also helped me soften up and remember all would be ok.He feared no one and was afraid of nothing. He was a friend of all and an enemy of none. Even though some hated him, he loved them back. Few loved more and loved well.And for it, he was beloved. Beloved by all who knew him.He held court and made us belly laugh.You kept us all on our toes. Sometimes running away when he took his third wisdom, the liquid of wisdom. Sometimes surround him to hear more jokes. And he made life more fun. We loved watching you be a dad. It was one of his best jobs.He did it with that “calm under fire” mentality he brought to life.And he was the centre of our world.I loved watching you be a storyteller to all. 

His heart skipped a beat for Anna, and they both sparkled together. Both husband and wife talked a lot; one wonders how they clicked with them having a lot to say. I really loved watching you be a son. “Mwana wa mai Satan.”His honour and respect for our parents taught me so much, minus moments of stopper. The way he stepped up for Dad was inspiring. He created an unbreakable bond. One minute you are together, and the next minute he is kicking you away. That was mukoma Joe. 

And the love for his mother was next level. Mwana wa Bybit. Yes, you grew up the only boy until I was born. We had our adult life as two boys until Calvin was born. I loved watching him live life through the good and bad times.He gave me hope that, no matter what, we can always find a way. 

I loved the way he looked, came in hot and late to family meetings, then, under the influence, he ended the meeting. He was always the life of the party. I loved the way he cared for me, in his special way, brother. It’s the part I am going to miss the most. My tears run down my face as I write. 

My sisters said our family will never be the same without him, and they are right.We will grieve his absence in our lives to the end of our days.And I know he is no longer in pain, watching over us as he always did.But I miss him and always will.He was my rock. I felt like I could take a deep breath. So I did.This deep breath was one of my first sighs of relief in a way that everything was going to be ok.He was truly my hero.I am so proud of mukoma Joe. Always was… always will be.I am the lucky one.

My friend, Ronnie Mabuza, says the mark of a good relationship is when the other person thinks they are getting the better end of the deal.Brother, we all got the better end of the deal.

May you live on in all of us… Rest in peace, mukoma Joe.