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founding fathers of Zimbabwe will almost always trace the inspiration of their heroic efforts to one giant, Benjamin Burombo.
But there was to be another Benjamin Burombo in post-independent Zimbabwe who made headlines for different reasons altogether.
At the height of the HIV and Aids pandemic, when anti-retroviral drugs were not freely available and the virus was taking its toll on the nation, the self-styled “Doctor” Benjamin Burombo rose to fame with claims that he could cure diseases associated with the virus.
He drew many to him and in the process enriched himself. But many doubted that he was genuine and wondered how long he would last.
The then Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Timothy Stamps dismissed Burombo’s claim that he could cure Aids-related illnesses.
But Burombo was adamant.
Among his patients was the late African and Zimbabwean heavyweight boxing champion Proud “Kilimanjaro” Chinembiri.
Burombo’s stakes rose quite high when it was reported that he was “treating” the famed boxing champion. Unfortunately, Kilimanjaro died. It was not long before Burombo’s world started collapsing and he soon disappeared from the limelight.
Two decades later, the former vibrant and talkative herbalist is a shadow of his former self.
The man, who claimed to possess magical healing powers and herbs, is now broke.
His dream of finding a cure for Aids has died.
The BMWs and Mercedes Benzs have also disappeared and have been replaced by a modest Renault 12. His Kuwadzana house that used to play host to hundreds of Zimbabweans and foreigners seeking help, now tells a different and sad tale.
Some sheep could be heard bleating in his backyard when The Herald visited him on Wednesday.
Now 51-years-old, the man who used to claim that his wonder herbs were from deep-down Kariba Dam, has lost the bling.
At his gate there is an inscription; “Trespassers will be prosecuted”.
An elderly man called Sekuru Fanuel Mavhudzi escorted us to Burombo. Burombo says he is now a full-time farmer in Darwendale. He is a beneficiary of the land reform programme.
“I am into farming now and I have nothing new to tell you. I got a farm in Darwendale where I am farming with my family,” he said while puffing out smoke from a cigarette.
“I rear livestock, grow maize, sorghum and sunflowers with my family. I am concentrating on that with my wife and four children.”
Next to him were a winnowing basket, four dry bulb thermometers, short stabbing spears, a water gourd, and a snuff container that lay on top of a red, black and white cloth.
“All is not well now since Zimbabwe is using foreigners’ money and there is no way I can operate under such an environment.
“We have gone for years without seeing our own money and as a true Zimbabwean I saw it necessary not to run away,” Burombo said.
He maintains that the remedies he found still cure HIV and Aids.
“I was tested two months back and I came out negative. Had I tested positive, I would have simply come back and drank my herbs to flush out the virus from my bloodstream,” he boasted.
Burombo said he now comes back into the urban environment just to update his knowledge of current affairs.
“Ancestors are not happy with how the economic affairs are being run,” he said.
He believes only descendants of Munhumutapa have the right to run the affairs of this country.
“Ancestors were sleeping but now they have arisen. Foreigners now run the country and those in high offices have to consult me as a descendant of Munhumutapa,” he said.
Recounting his life, he said he was born in Bulawayo’s Mpopoma suburb to the late nationalist and trade unionist Benjamin Burombo.
“I was born in Bulawayo in 1960 and I had to come to Harare on foot. I never had time to attend school in case you were interested in knowing my educational qualifications.
“If you go to any school you will not find my name in any record book. The little English I speak comes from the news I listen to on the radio, television and when friends speak,” he said.
Burombo says he is planning to conduct a traditional ceremony at his residence and the two sheep will be slaughtered for people who will attend the function. For those who are curious, Burombo downs one or two at Kuwadzana Shopping Centre where his presence steers some gossip, whispers and gestures. Time is a teacher.