Jairos jiri biography of williams

Rhodesian disability activist (1921–1982)

Jairos JiriMBE (26 June 1921 – 12 November 1982) was born in the district of Bikita, then Southern Rhodesia now Zimbabwe.

He was also known respectfully as Baba, which means Father in his Shona culture.

History

Baba Jiri was born in 1926.^[1] In the early days of his childhood, he had a dream of helping disabled people.

Jairos jiri biography of williams

These dreams were motivated by his family background. His father, Chief Mutenyami Jiri was an Appointer of Rozvi Chiefs.^[2] The Rozvi Empire ruled the Shona Dzimbabwe (now Zimbabwe) until the death of the last Shona King Tohwechipi Chibhamubhamu in Uhera (now Buhera) in 1873.

He is buried in the Mavangwe Hills and his grave is a national monument. As Royal people, people like Chief Mutenyami would not only appoint chiefs but provide social services in the community like feeding the hungry. His mother, Mai Marufu came from a royal family too and was charitable as was expected of her