
Judge Nitride Selo Nare, Chairman of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission, has died at the age of 81.
Family spokesperson, Leslie Ncube, confirmed the news to CITE, noting that Nari died on Saturday night in a hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he was receiving specialized medical care after a long illness.
Born in 1943 in Ward 19, Kafusi, Gwanda District, Matabeleland South, Nari had an illustrious career that included education, law and national reconciliation.
“Nari attended Kafusi Primary School and later won a scholarship to study at Dadaya Mission. His early career began in education, where he trained as a teacher. He worked as a primary school teacher in Zvishavane and Gwanda between 1963 and 1970 and later served as principal,” said Ncube. School from 1971 to 1973. He taught at several schools, including Chigato and Masumi, before eventually pursuing a career as a lawyer.”
Ncube noted that Nari’s interest in the legal profession grew during his time as a teacher, which led him to join the Judicial Services Commission (JSC). There, he rose through the ranks from court translator to judge.
“He had a strong passion for education and law. While working as a teacher, his interest in the legal profession blossomed, and after independence, he devoted himself fully to this field,” Ncube added.
Fluent in six local languages – Sotho, Ndebele, Shona, Venda, Nyanga and English – Nari was also familiar with Kalanga and Shangani and had a strong understanding of Namibia, which helped him in his work as a court interpreter.
“He trained at the Judicial College before being appointed as a judge in the early eighties. The family spokesman said Nari also studied for her LLB at UNISA.
Nari’s legal career has seen him serve in various capacities throughout Zimbabwe, including as a magistrate in Bulawayo, Hwange and Chiredzi, and later as a regional magistrate in Mashonaland West and Matabeleland North.
“He was promoted to regional judge in Harare in 1993 and later served as senior regional judge in Mutare before assuming the position of president of the Bulawayo Administrative Tribunal in 2003,” Ncube said.
In 2006, Nare was appointed President of the Bulawayo Labor Court, a position he held until his retirement in 2013.
Ncube stressed that Nare’s contributions to the legal field culminated in his appointment as Chairman of the National Commission for Political Reform in March 2018 by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. He played a key role in peacebuilding efforts in Zimbabwe, succeeding the late Cyril Ndebele, who passed away in 2016.
“Justice Nare was deeply committed to nation building and peace. “He traveled all over the country calling for reconciliation and unity until his retirement,” Ncube said.
He added: “He was a humble and moral man, loyal to his church and faith, and committed to serving his country.”
In addition to his legal work, Nari was a dedicated member of the Bulawayo Church of Christ, where he served as an elder. He was also active in academia, chairing the LSU staff disciplinary committee in 2014.
“Nari was an avid farmer, tending to his farm in Marula and maintaining a garden at his home in Bellevue, Bulawayo,” the family spokesperson added.
“The legal sector is poorer without it. Nari was a peace builder, not only within the country but also within his family and church.
Narey leaves behind his wife, Leticia Gladys Narey, three children and 11 grandchildren. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course. Site