Moffat Mungazi
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE late national hero, Ambassador John Shumba Mvundura, who was laid to rest at the National Heroes’ Acre in Harare last Wednesday, had exceptional abilities in resolving conflicts and uniting people at both family and political levels, according to senior ZANU PF officials, party affiliates, and family members.
Wednesday’s triple heroes’ burial that was presided over by Acting President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, saw Ambassador Mvundura, who passed away at St Anne’s Hospital in Harare on January 15, being laid to rest alongside fellow national heroes, Major-General (Retired) Solomon Siziba and former Information, Posts and Telecommunications Minister, Honourable Chenhamo ‘Chen’ Chakezha Chimutengwende.
Ambassador Mvundura was declared a national hero by President Mnangagwa, highlighting his significant contributions to Zimbabwe.
His legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire and unite the people for generations to come.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs Perpetual Mvundura, and 10 children.
Speaking at the National Heroes’ Acre burial ceremony, Acting President Chiwenga said: “The late Ambassador John Shumba Mvundura was born on August 8, 1943 in Makoni District, and did his primary education at Dumba Primary School from 1951 to 1956, and later transferred to Handina Primary School from 1957 to 1959.
“Cde Mvundura enrolled for secondary education at Harare Secondary School from 1961 to 1963. A seasoned diplomat and a veteran of our liberation struggle, Cde Mvundura’s political career began in the early days of ZAPU and ZANU when the black political activists began mobilising support to fight against the oppressive colonial rule.
“As an activist and chair of youths in Old Highfield, he was among the brave sons and daughters of the soil who stood up and fought for the independence of Zimbabwe. Highfields was at the centre of the formative years of rising dissent against white supremacy in the then Rhodesia.
“Ambassador Mvundura received his military training in Tembwe, Mozambique in Tete Province, and was a member of the ZANLA General Staff. He was later deployed in Nachingwea, Tanzania as an Assistant Instructor. Between 1978 and 1980, he was ZANU’S Chief of Protocol and Deputy Chief Representative in Mozambique. The nation has lost a diplomat who served in different countries since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980.
“His first diplomatic mission was in Mozambique and Swaziland followed by Malawi, Libya, Nigeria and Cuba. Despite retiring from Government service in 1994,
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his resilience and commitment to his country led to his re-appointment as Ambassador to Cuba from 2000 to 2013.”
During a memorial service held at Mutare Hall on Tuesday, colleagues and a family representative praised Ambassador Mvundura’s remarkable talent for resolving disputes among feuding parties.
Ambassador Mvundura’s legacy is being remembered as one of principle, fearlessness, and dedication to Zimbabwe.
Reflecting on Ambassador Mvundura’s legacy during Tuesday’s memorial service in Mutare, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza described him as a strong leader who never hesitated to share his opinions.
Minister Mugadza also shared personal anecdotes about Ambassador Mvundura’s respect for legal practitioners and his role in shaping his early political career.
“He was a strong man with strong views, who never failed to make his opinions known. He gave his life for the liberation of this country, and we shall forever remember him. Personally, he was a friend to my father, the late Cde Kenneth Manyonda and through that union, he helped shape my early political career.
He had great respect for lawyers, and I remember how he used to refer to my presence as a lawyer during every meeting that we had at party level. He was one person who would resolve disputes or conflicts in a manner that few could. He would unite people through his God-given skills,” he said.
Additionally, ZANU PF Politburo member, Cde Supa Mandiwanzira echoed similar sentiments, describing Ambassador Mvundura as a unifier of great repute.
“It is through people like Ambassador Mvundura that some of us are in leadership positions. He is one person who had the talent to unite people with divergent opinions, and that is a leadership skill that we will always cherish about him,” said Cde Mandiwanzira.
Businessman-cum-politician Cde Isau Mupfumi, who deployed his buses to ferry mourners, said: “When Ambassador Mvundura became ZANU PF Manicaland provincial chairman, it was at a time the party was not in unison. He united the party. He commandeered everyone into line and the party gained strength and unity through him.”
The Mvundura family expressed its heartfelt gratitude to President Mnangagwa for conferring national hero status on Ambassador Mvundura.
Family spokesperson, Mr George Mvundura also extended gratitude to the ZANU PF leadership in Manicaland for their unwavering support.
“As a family, we are very grateful for this decision. We are so happy to know that we have a President who loves and recognises us as a family, all because of what my brother did for the nation.
“He is one person who taught us unity as a family. We would never leave a meeting with Ambassador Mvundura with divergent views. In fact, when he came back from the liberation struggle, he summoned us as a family and told us that he will be leaving the country for an ambassadorial duty. He tasked me to ensure that the family remained united. He was such a unifier,” he said.
Secretary for Harare Provincial Affairs and Devolution and war veteran, Cde Cosmas Chiringa, who served as a political commissar during the war, and continues to serve in public administration, also had the privilege to work and mingle with the late Ambassador Mvundura, before and after independence.
“Dr Mvundura served with distinction in the administration of the party in Maputo. During the liberation struggle, we recognised that for any meaningful war to succeed, a robust and efficient administrative system was crucial. Without a strong rear support, achievements on the battlefield would have been impossible. Dr Mvundura was instrumental in establishing this solid administrative backbone, which significantly contributed to the success of the liberation movement,” said Cde Chiringa.
