Key points:
- Kamupira was the latest beneficiary of an honorary ordination by The United Methodist Church in recognition of his sterling work as an evangelist.
- The clergyman comforted many families in his position as chaplain-general of the country’s largest funeral services group.
- Zimbabwe President Emmerson D. Mnangagwa said Kamupira’s ministry went across denominations, and he will be remembered for his empathy.
- Chaplain Norman Muchazepi said his mentor taught invaluable lessons on love, servanthood ministry and Bible study.
The Rev. Ellison Kamupira, renowned evangelist, director of ceremonies and chaplain-general of Zimbabwe’s largest funeral services company, died May 11 at age 75.
Kamupira succumbed to cancer at a private hospital in Harare after battling the disease for a decade.
The longtime United Methodist was credited with being humorous while spreading the gospel, comforting thousands of bereaved families and presiding over church and national events.
Kamupira knew no boundaries. The lack of professional qualifications did not deter him from touching the lives of ordinary people, politicians, national leaders and Christians from all denominations.
The Rev. Thomas Muhomba of Lakeside United Methodist Church in Huntsville, Alabama, was in the same youth group with Kamupira.
“With his humor,” Muhomba said, “Ellison smuggled God’s word into the hearts of his listeners. He knew that when people laugh, their defenses go down, and they relax and become more open to receive the message. Kamupira knew that a boring sermon was not representative of who God is.
“His friendship was characterized by loving, encouraging, doing good and being present when times were hard. He had realistic expectations, framework for forgiveness, gentle admonition and trustworthy discretion.”
From humble beginnings in Mutambara about 50 miles from Mutare, Kamupira used his love of God and an inborn ability to preach to become a renowned evangelist and a sought-after director of ceremonies.
He was appointed a full-time church evangelist in 1998, serving the Harare East and Harare West districts.
The Rev. Christopher Chikoore, former Harare East District superintendent, knew Kamupira as a preacher from the 1970s.
“I will remember him as a great preacher, evangelist, a man of all people who was loving and caring to anyone — including strangers,” Chikoore said. “He uplifted people’s spirits, even in the most depressing situations.”
After serving the church for decades as a preacher and evangelist, Kamupira was bestowed with an honorary ordination as an elder in December 2020. He continued to serve as chaplain-general of Nyaradzo Group. The last known honorary ordinations were done in the 1980s during a shortage of pastors and evangelists from the men’s organization. Conrad Chigumira, Andrew Mhondoro and Kingston Kahlari, all now deceased, were ordained.
The Rev. Joseph Bonga, United Theological College dean of faculty, knew Kamupira since the 1980s. “He loved everyone,” Bonga said. “He was a forthright person who did not mince words. I remember him as a person who was full of jokes. In some situations, he would break the tension with humor. He was one in a thousand, and surely, we are going to miss him.”
Kamupira’s friendship with the Rev. Archford Muchingami spanned over 40 years.
“He was down to earth and had the gift of establishing and maintaining personal relationships,” Muchingami said. “I have lost someone who loved me like his son. I will always cherish his sermons, which pointed us to God.”
Winston Guyo, Zimbabwe East board of trustees chair, described Kamupira as “someone who had a rare gift of making everyone feel special. He would turn a tense situation into a laughing one.”
When Guyo lost his eldest daughter, Beyonce, in a school bus accident, the chaplain-general presided over the burial and consoled the family by regularly phoning them for three months after the tragedy.
The Rev. Elisha Kabungaidze, now retired, said Kamupira was a renowned director of ceremonies who endeared himself to government departments.
“People started calling him ‘pastor’ around 1998. In national circles, he had proven to be very gifted as a director of ceremonies from happy occasions to funerals. He was fearless and joked as he advised leaders to have ethically and morally sound lives. In ordinary people’s minds, he was qualified to be called a reverend.
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“He was naturally gifted, and his life is testimony that God raises preachers in his own time. He was very transparent and delivered hard-hitting sermons.”
Kamupira developed the knack of chastising people during his prayers that usually ended with everyone laughing while he maintained a straight face. On one occasion during grace, he reminded people to practice temperance and only take food with which they were familiar and in quantities that they could finish.
Kamupira officiated at the wedding of Jasper and Agnes Munhenga in December 1988. “He had people in stitches with many jokes,” she said, “and I remember him advising me that a wooden spoon was for cooking, not for hitting my husband.”
Zimbabwe President Emmerson D. Mnangagwa sent a condolence message when he learned of Kamupira’s death.
“The Rev. Kamupira’s routinely lively ministry touched many lives by soothing the ill and consoling the bereaved in very difficult times,” Mnangagwa said. “His sermons went beyond denominations, thus ecumenically symbolizing the unity of faiths and churches in our nation. We mourn his sad departure and will certainly miss his lighthearted homilies beneath which lay deep compassion and empathy for the troubled, sick, dying and bereaved.”
Kamupira was one of the founding staff of the Nyaradzo Group, which has 56 branches in Zimbabwe, two in South Africa and one in the United Kingdom. The company’s cofounder and chief executive Philip Mataranyika, a United Methodist, said he had been robbed of a brother, friend, counselor, confidant and business partner.
“The nation is poorer without him,” Mataranyika said. “We are already starting to count our losses as Kamupira was synonymous with Nyaradzo since 2002. He was not just an employee but (also) a pillar of our institution, crafting the very foundation on which our brand stands today.
“His calling was that of touching broken hearts, mourning the loss of their dear departed. Our company was a no-name brand before he became part of it. Kamupira worked tirelessly, together with the rest of the team, to raise the brand to where it is today, with him becoming the face of it,” he explained.
“In remembering Kamupira, we celebrate a life beautifully lived and a legacy that will continue to inspire. His teachings on kindness, joy and humanity will forever echo through the halls of our company, guiding us as we strive to emulate his radiant spirit.”
Nyaradzo chaplain Norman Muchazepi said Kamupira was a mentor who guided him on grooming, etiquette and Bible study.
“He taught me to respect different religions and that there is beauty in every situation, which is cause for celebration. Other important lessons were to be a servant and friend to all and to love God and family.”
Kamupira was buried at Warren Hills Cemetery in Harare. He is survived by his wife, Chipo, son Kudzai, daughter Rufaro and grandson Kupakwashe.
As an experienced director of ceremonies, Kamupira left explicit instructions for his own funeral, including dress code, caterers and time for church service.
His parting shot amid laughter was read by Chikoore: “Thank you everyone who came to witness me being laid to rest!”
Eveline Chikwanah is a United Methodist News correspondent based in Harare, Zimbabwe.
News media contact: Julie Dwyer at newsdesk@umnews.org. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free daily or weekly Digests.
