However, the prophet said that the sickness was a sign that the gods had chosen him for a mission, to reignite a lost cause and to one day hand the baton to the next generation and that he would become a wealthy and prominent person.

[citation needed] When Tawengwa was about 12 years old, he ran away from home after a fight with his father and ended up at Grinham Farm in Marandellas.

There, Tawengwa started working as a shepherd for Robert Grinham, the Ruzawi School and Springvale House founder.

Tawengwa left Grinham Farm when he was about 15 years old, and was hired at the Meikles Hotel as a dishwasher before being promoted to waiter.

[citation needed] George Tawengwa died on 13 April 1982 at Parerenyatwa Hospital in Harare from diabetes.