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Ambassador Bvuma dies
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Ambassador Thomas Bvuma, a distinguished diplomat, liberation struggle stalwart and acclaimed author, has died.
Born and educated in Manicaland, Bvuma attended St Augustine's School in Penhalonga before enrolling at the then University of Rhodesia. His academic journey was cut short in 1976 when he left the country during his second year of study to join the liberation struggle. After crossing into Mozambique, he arrived at Doroi Refugee Camp before moving to Chimoio Military Base for politico-military training. His leadership potential and ideological commitment saw him selected for advanced training at the Chitepo Ideological College.
As the liberation war intensified, ZANU leadership — through President Emmerson Mnangagwa — identified Bvuma as part of a cohort of cadres who would later take up key roles in rebuilding the nation. In 1977, he was sent to Eduardo Mondlane University in Maputo to resume his studies as part of broader preparations for post-independence national development.
After independence in 1980, Bvuma served in the Office of the President and Cabinet as Chief Press Officer before joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. He went on to represent Zimbabwe in Brazil, where he played a major role in strengthening diplomatic ties during a period when the country faced Western-imposed sanctions following the land reform programme.
His diplomatic achievements included helping secure the "More Food for Africa" programme, under which Brazil supplied agricultural equipment to Zimbabwe. The initiative bolstered local farming capacity and cushioned the country against the economic impact of sanctions.
Ambassador Bvuma later served as Vice-Chairman of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, his final public appointment.
He was also a celebrated writer and one of the few liberation war cadres to publish detailed accounts of the struggle from an insider's viewpoint. Last year, the Institute of African Knowledge and the Museum of African Liberation launched his historical book The Chosen Generation, adding to his earlier poetry collection The Tale That Turns. His unpublished manuscript, Chimurenga II Armed Struggle, cemented his reputation as an important chronicler of Zimbabwe's liberation history.
Funeral arrangements and details of his burial are expected to be announced by the family in due course.
Born and educated in Manicaland, Bvuma attended St Augustine's School in Penhalonga before enrolling at the then University of Rhodesia. His academic journey was cut short in 1976 when he left the country during his second year of study to join the liberation struggle. After crossing into Mozambique, he arrived at Doroi Refugee Camp before moving to Chimoio Military Base for politico-military training. His leadership potential and ideological commitment saw him selected for advanced training at the Chitepo Ideological College.
As the liberation war intensified, ZANU leadership — through President Emmerson Mnangagwa — identified Bvuma as part of a cohort of cadres who would later take up key roles in rebuilding the nation. In 1977, he was sent to Eduardo Mondlane University in Maputo to resume his studies as part of broader preparations for post-independence national development.
After independence in 1980, Bvuma served in the Office of the President and Cabinet as Chief Press Officer before joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. He went on to represent Zimbabwe in Brazil, where he played a major role in strengthening diplomatic ties during a period when the country faced Western-imposed sanctions following the land reform programme.
Ambassador Bvuma later served as Vice-Chairman of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, his final public appointment.
He was also a celebrated writer and one of the few liberation war cadres to publish detailed accounts of the struggle from an insider's viewpoint. Last year, the Institute of African Knowledge and the Museum of African Liberation launched his historical book The Chosen Generation, adding to his earlier poetry collection The Tale That Turns. His unpublished manuscript, Chimurenga II Armed Struggle, cemented his reputation as an important chronicler of Zimbabwe's liberation history.
Funeral arrangements and details of his burial are expected to be announced by the family in due course.
Source - Cite
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