Kadungure Mapondera

Chief Kadungure Mapondera helped to lead the Shona people of Southern Africa against British colonial forces in the 1890s. He eventually surrendered to his enemies and was tried and sentenced to imprisonment.

Son of Nyahunzvi and his wife Mwera, Nyahunzvi son of Zhengeni, Zhenjeni son of Chiwodza (Chiwodzamamera) who became first Chief Negomo. Chiwodza was son of Mugumu (Kanogumura),a descendant of the Rozvi Dynasty of Zimbabwe from early 1690s, and his wife Chimoyo, sister of Gwangwadza and children of Chiumbe of Nehoreka dynasty. Mugumu's brother was Kuredzamuswe. The two came from Bikita and were of Moyondizvo totem.

1901 Mapondera Rebellion

As an outstanding commander and politician, in 1901 Chief Kadungure Mapondera, who had in 1894 proclaimed his independence of the British South Africa Company's rule, led a rebellion in the Guruve, Mazowe and Mount Darwin areas of Mashonaland Central. He led a force of initially under 100 men, but had over 600 under his command by mid-1901. He was captured in 1903 and died in jail in 1904 after a hunger strike.