He is the man who created and sculptured the Nyaminyami Zambezi River god, which is a symbol of tourism to this day.
by Shadreck maririmba
This creation is neatly set at Kariba Dam and many other tourism spots which are such a marvel to look at.
Along the Magunje-Binga route, one cannot afford to miss a road sign directing to David Mashapure’s homestead where his Broken Rock Arts base is located.
It is at this base where he made and created many sculptures among them the famous Nyaminyami Zambezi River god which stands majestically at the Kariba dam.
The Nyaminyami, also known as the Zambezi Snake Spirit, is one of the most important gods of the Tonga people, believed to protect and give them sustenance during difficult times.
The River god, which is portrayed as female, has a body of a snake and the head of a fish, a whirlpool or a river dragon, the Nyaminyami is seen as the god of Zambezi Valley and the river before the creation of the Kariba Dam.
When one talks of sculptors in Zimbabwe the name of Dominic Benhura and others come to mind.
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But the country has produced one of its own in the mould of Mashapure who lives at Magunje in Mashonaland West province.
Mashapure, now a retired soldier, is a unique artist.
“I created and sold the Nyaminyami Zambezi River god to Kariba Publicity Association in 1999, who then erected it at Kariba Dam,” he said boastfully.
One cannot talk of Zimbabwe’s tourism without mentioning the Nyaminyami Zambezi River god which is screened on local television when advertising the Zimbabwe’s tourism destinations.
Born on March 3 1958, Mashapure, whose bread is buttered from art, said: “I was inspired by the late Bernard Matemera who was a sculptor based in Guruve during the liberation struggle. He taught me how to carve a stone. Bernard was an artist with a passion and an eye for detail.”
Matemera, however, passed on in the early 90’s but Mashapure says he is happy to carry his legacy.
“I was a soldier then based in Guruve who had a passion to express myself through art. I started serious carving in 1980 soon after I returned from the war,” he said.
Mashapure stayed in Magunje as an army personnel based at 2.3 Infantry Battalion at Magunje Barracks from 1988 to 1997 when he retired. He said that he derives most of his inspiration from the Shona culture.
He is also credited for creating an elephant symbolising the totem of Chief Dendera of Hurungwe and a cock/rooster (jongwe) symbol at Zanu PF.
“The two artworks were presented and given to President Robert Mugabe as a gift in 1981 when he first visited Magunje. The gifts were presented to the President by Hurungwe district council that time,” he alleged.
Most of his artwork has been sold in South Africa and European countries, among them the Netherlands, United States and Canada.
“I used to market my art in Kariba from 1997 to 2005 where I met a lot of clients. That’s the period I was approached by the Kariba Publicity Association to create the Nyaminyami Zambezi River god. Business was good then because our tourism industry was at its peak,” he said.
Mashapure uses serpentine rock and spring stone rock to create his art which he collects from Zvishavane, Mutare Kwekwe and Guruve.
As you arrive at his home, you are greeted with a neat and artistic paved road with sculptures lined along. Among the sculptures is one titled Protected Family which he says is a symbol of faith.
Besides being a sculptor David is a farmer, a tombstone designer and an elder with the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God (Zaoga) Forward in Faith church. “I love this art so much, but unfortunately none of my five children are interested. They have all taken different professions and are all doing well in their careers,” he said.
His wife Judith said Mashapure is a hardworking man who sent his children to school using proceeds from sale of these sculptures. “I am appealing to young people in this area to come and learn this art. My desire is to leave accomplished sculptors in this region, but unfortunately most youths in this area don’t seem to understand art,” he said.
Mashapure, who has over the years made friends through his works, is expected to travel to Europe to exhibit some of his artworks in the near future.
