News / National
Minister Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga finds new lease of life
10 Dec 2011 at 22:22hrs | Views
Get married? You must be joking! . . . Regional Integration and International Co-operation Minister Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga laughs off a question on whether she intends to get married again following the death of her husband
The sting of death sapped her fighting spirit. Before, she was acclaimed for her tenacious aggression.
But after the death of her husband, Regional Integration and International Co-operation Minister Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga slipped into a languid disposition.
Friends and women's rights activists were deeply grieved after she seemed only too powerless to fight her husband's children who contested his estate.
Away from the public glare, she later gave up everything: cars, clothes, houses and household property.
She is now ready to make a new start, and what a start it is! She now owns a beautiful house in Harare's Chisipite suburb where serenity continues to soothe her bruised heart.
"When I came to this place, I really felt at home after all I had gone through," she said, her countenance beaming, a sure sign of inner peace.
"I gave up everything. I gave up the house; I even left the cars; even some of my clothes.
"I donated part of my wardrobe."
Minister Misihairabwi-Mushonga went through a turbulent period following the tragic death of her husband and orthopaedic surgeon Dr Christopher Mushonga, in 2009.
It all began in June of that year.
A six-man gang of armed criminals stormed the couple's Mount Pleasant home where they severely assaulted the surgeon and a guard.
Dr Mushonga later died from injuries sustained in the attack.
A dark cloud hung over the home.
It grew even darker for his widow after nine of his children petitioned the Master of the High Court to determine the inheritance of his estate following reports he left two wills.
They alleged the second had been tampered with.
Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga subsequently ceded the Mount Pleasant home, a flat and funds in the couple's joint accounts.
At one point, she stayed in a hotel, her pride preventing her from begging relatives or friends for assistance.
Throughout her political career, her great tenacity cast her in the mould of a powerful politician.
This submission, therefore, seemed foreign. She was, undoubtedly, heart- broken.
But her new environs provide grounds for a fresh start to life. She now feels at peace, away from harrowing life experiences.
"That's what God does! I started from scratch.
"I bought pots and other household items.
"I feel at peace when I move around this yard. I was actually looking for a one-bedroomed flat when I stumbled upon this property. I then decided to take it.
"Sometimes the stress one goes through propels them to greater levels."
Her new habitation is remarkable by any standards. A short driveway leads one to a car park close to the house. Either side of it is a well-manicured lawn.
Behind the house is a swimming pool. A gazebo completes the grand scenery.
When The Sunday Mail visited her yesterday, the minister was relaxing after attending a church meeting.
She emerged from the house to sit in the gazebo. She appeared warm and vivacious.
She told of how she has put the storm that was the period after her husband's death behind her.
She now lives with his sister who has always stood by her.
When I asked whether she would remarry, she broke into hearty laughter, shaking her head vigorously.
"No, no! That would be the last thing I would ever do! The time came and passed.
"Iwewe roorwa! (You get married!)," she said, referring to this reporter.
"God takes care of widows. When someone is being victimised, He intervenes.
"Everything I am has everything to do with God."
Regarding the jailing of the criminals who raided her home, she said: "I also read about it in one of the newspapers."
The minister poses for a photograph in the backyard of her house
The robbers who killed Dr Mushonga were sentenced last week.
"All I can do is to mourn my husband. Of course, they might have been jailed, but the fact remains: my husband is gone."
On the political front, she said her MDC party was geared for elections scheduled for next year.
"We are ready for elections. You must definitely be ready the moment you become a political party.
"We cannot run away from elections; all countries go through the same."
But after the death of her husband, Regional Integration and International Co-operation Minister Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga slipped into a languid disposition.
Friends and women's rights activists were deeply grieved after she seemed only too powerless to fight her husband's children who contested his estate.
Away from the public glare, she later gave up everything: cars, clothes, houses and household property.
She is now ready to make a new start, and what a start it is! She now owns a beautiful house in Harare's Chisipite suburb where serenity continues to soothe her bruised heart.
"When I came to this place, I really felt at home after all I had gone through," she said, her countenance beaming, a sure sign of inner peace.
"I gave up everything. I gave up the house; I even left the cars; even some of my clothes.
"I donated part of my wardrobe."
Minister Misihairabwi-Mushonga went through a turbulent period following the tragic death of her husband and orthopaedic surgeon Dr Christopher Mushonga, in 2009.
It all began in June of that year.
A six-man gang of armed criminals stormed the couple's Mount Pleasant home where they severely assaulted the surgeon and a guard.
Dr Mushonga later died from injuries sustained in the attack.
A dark cloud hung over the home.
It grew even darker for his widow after nine of his children petitioned the Master of the High Court to determine the inheritance of his estate following reports he left two wills.
They alleged the second had been tampered with.
Ms Misihairabwi-Mushonga subsequently ceded the Mount Pleasant home, a flat and funds in the couple's joint accounts.
At one point, she stayed in a hotel, her pride preventing her from begging relatives or friends for assistance.
Throughout her political career, her great tenacity cast her in the mould of a powerful politician.
This submission, therefore, seemed foreign. She was, undoubtedly, heart- broken.
But her new environs provide grounds for a fresh start to life. She now feels at peace, away from harrowing life experiences.
"That's what God does! I started from scratch.
"I bought pots and other household items.
"I feel at peace when I move around this yard. I was actually looking for a one-bedroomed flat when I stumbled upon this property. I then decided to take it.
"Sometimes the stress one goes through propels them to greater levels."
Her new habitation is remarkable by any standards. A short driveway leads one to a car park close to the house. Either side of it is a well-manicured lawn.
Behind the house is a swimming pool. A gazebo completes the grand scenery.
When The Sunday Mail visited her yesterday, the minister was relaxing after attending a church meeting.
She emerged from the house to sit in the gazebo. She appeared warm and vivacious.
She told of how she has put the storm that was the period after her husband's death behind her.
She now lives with his sister who has always stood by her.
When I asked whether she would remarry, she broke into hearty laughter, shaking her head vigorously.
"No, no! That would be the last thing I would ever do! The time came and passed.
"Iwewe roorwa! (You get married!)," she said, referring to this reporter.
"God takes care of widows. When someone is being victimised, He intervenes.
"Everything I am has everything to do with God."
Regarding the jailing of the criminals who raided her home, she said: "I also read about it in one of the newspapers."
The minister poses for a photograph in the backyard of her house
The robbers who killed Dr Mushonga were sentenced last week.
"All I can do is to mourn my husband. Of course, they might have been jailed, but the fact remains: my husband is gone."
On the political front, she said her MDC party was geared for elections scheduled for next year.
"We are ready for elections. You must definitely be ready the moment you become a political party.
"We cannot run away from elections; all countries go through the same."
Source - Sunday Mail
