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Shona Definition
Vanhu vanotevera ishe ndivo vanosakisa kuti pave noumambo. Saka kuti mambo ave nembirimi hunge vanhu voushe hwake vakawanda.
English Translation
A river only becomes large because of the streams that feed it, just as a chief's standing rests on the number of people who follow him. Strength in authority comes from the size of one's following.
Cultural Context
“Used mainly in political matters such as land allocation — for example, to urge a chief who hesitates to admit more people into his area for fear of running short of land.”
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This is a variant of
Ishe kukura / nokuwandirwaA ruler's stature rises in step with how many people follow him; his greatness is measured by the size of the community under him.