Peter Mwapamba, born Canaan Chirau worked for Olivine Industries for 42 years where he joined as a driver in 1972 aged 24 and rose through the ranks till his retirement in 2014 as a Plant Operator Supervisor. He received his 40 years longest serving award in 2012 and retired in 2014. He was a very soft-spoken gentleman.
Born second to Robson Kanganwi Chirau and Monica (nee Musabayana) along with two sisters in Bocha, Marange in Mutare, Canaan was forced to grow faster than most of his peers bec... morePeter Mwapamba, born Canaan Chirau worked for Olivine Industries for 42 years where he joined as a driver in 1972 aged 24 and rose through the ranks till his retirement in 2014 as a Plant Operator Supervisor. He received his 40 years longest serving award in 2012 and retired in 2014. He was a very soft-spoken gentleman.
Born second to Robson Kanganwi Chirau and Monica (nee Musabayana) along with two sisters in Bocha, Marange in Mutare, Canaan was forced to grow faster than most of his peers because he lost his mother when he was only five (5) years old. As was custom then, he would move and live with a lot of relatives far and wide across the country and thus was very well known to many family relatives, he storied every family tree graciously, a gift he was most cherished by his kinsman. Most notable, he stayed with his uncle Mwapamba Chirau (aka aMutenda) where he later adopted his first name for a surname (Mwapamba). There he befriended his cousin, Lazarus, they remained close friends until Lazarus untimely death years later. He spent his teenage years in Bulawayo with his uncle Ben Mwatsika Chirau, there he befriended his ‘twin brother’, cousin, Lovemore, they remained very close friends.
Canaan was very intelligent at school and attained good grades. He won an essay competition in standard five (5) at Matanda Primary that got him a standard six (6) scholarship at Hartzell High but due to severe financial hardships, he missed the golden opportunity at the time, a painful experience that prompted him to provide better education for his children. As a young adult whilst staying in Gweru with his uncle Davison Chirau, who was a sergeant for the British South African Police (BSAP), he turned down an opportunity to join the police. He was asked to present himself to a recruiting officer and despite meeting all criteria, he never turned-up and instead lied to his strict uncle that he didn’t make the cut, a story he often recited. He was afraid to take up the chance because the organization was a big part of the white minority government at the time.
He married his wife Emma (nee Mapara) in 1978, their fathers were close friends, neighbors and potters. After his time at Olivine, Canaan retired to his rural home. He was diagnosed of advanced prostate cancer and passed two weeks later (after diagnosis) in Harare whilst receiving treatment. He was 74. He was survived by his lovely wife Emma, their six children Prince, @Pride, Rumbidzai Praise, Canaan Jnr, Robson Jnr, Ella Anesu, seven (7) grandchildren and his two sisters Virginia (Mai Tonderai Machipanda) and Betty (Mai Enita/ Albert Zembe).
