News / National
Mphoko dies
06 Dec 2024 at 17:30hrs | Views
Former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko has died.
He was 84.
George Charamba, the Deputy Chief Secretary-Presidential Communications in the Office of the President of Zimbabwe, confirmed the news.
In a condolence message, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Mphoko died after a long illness.
"I learnt this afternoon with a deep sense of grief and sadness of the passing on of our former Vice President, Ambassador Report Phelekezela Mphoko, after a long illness. A veteran of our Liberation Struggle, Cde Mphoko's political and military history coincides with the early days of militant nationalism against white settler colonialism which later morphed into the armed Liberation Struggle of which he was among its early architects, brave fighters and crop of formative and outstanding commanders. With his sad departure, our Nation has lost yet another stalwart of the Liberation Struggle whose contribution to our hard-won Independence can hardly be overstated," he said.
Mphoko was born on June 11, 1940, in Gwizane, Bubi District, Matabeleland North.
Early Life and Education
Mphoko attended David Livingstone Memorial School in Ntabazinduna and later Mzilikazi High School in Bulawayo. Between 1959 and 1960, he studied Cropping and Animal Husbandry at the Tsholotsho Agricultural Breeding and Experimental School.
His passion for agriculture saw him pursue advanced courses in semen collection, artificial insemination, and embryo transfer at Austria's Institute of Genetics from 1996 to 1999. In 2003, he furthered his studies in Agricultural Farming Finance at the University of Natural Science in the Free State, South Africa.
Family Life
Mphoko was married to Luaurinda, a Mozambican national. They had three children - daughters Sikhumbuzo and Siduduzo, and a son, Siqokoqela - and three grandchildren.
Political and Military Activism
Mphoko's journey into politics began during his tenure at Dunlop Rhodesia Ltd in 1962-63, where he served as a workers' representative. In 1963, he was arrested for political violence after retaliating against a Rhodesian police officer who unleashed a dog on him and fellow youths.
Later that year, while awaiting retrial, Mphoko became a delegate at the Cold Comfort Farm People's Caretaker Council Congress, which led to the formation of a ZAPU Special Affairs Department tasked with organizing the armed struggle.
In April 1964, Mphoko fled Zimbabwe and underwent military training in the Soviet Union between May 1964 and February 1965. Upon his return, he established the first Military Planning Committee to spearhead the liberation struggle.
He played a pivotal role in the Joint Military Command during the ANC/ZAPU Alliance, overseeing logistics and supplies. His contributions extended to commanding operations during the Wankie Campaign alongside South African freedom fighters such as Joe Modise and Chris Hani.
Key Contributions to Liberation and Diplomacy
- 1967-1968: Operated in Sipolilo (now Guruve) alongside Abraham Nkiwane and Dumiso Dabengwa.
- 1976: Participated in the formation of the Patriotic Front in Maputo, Mozambique.
- 1979: Attended the Lancaster House Peace Talks as a military delegate.
- 1980: Served as a special envoy for Dr. Joshua Nkomo, fostering international relations with leaders such as President Samora Machel and Fidel Castro.
- Contributed to the design of Zimbabwe's national flag.
Post-Independence Roles
- 1981: Appointed Deputy Director for Demobilisation in the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
- 1987: Transitioned to the diplomatic service, taking on roles in Mozambique, Austria, Botswana, and Russia.
- 2010: Served as Zimbabwe's Ambassador to South Africa.
Throughout his life, Phelekezela Mphoko was a devoted liberation fighter, diplomat, and public servant, contributing significantly to Zimbabwe's independence and development. His work, spanning military strategy, international diplomacy, and agricultural innovation, leaves a lasting imprint on the nation's history.
Legally, Mphoko was the acting President of Zimbabwe from 21 - 24 November 2017, however, as he was not in the country at the time, official standing on this is unclear. Mphoko's term as vice-president was ended by President Emmerson Mnangagwa following the dissolution of the cabinet on 27 November 2017.
This is a developing story and will be updated as new information is received.
He was 84.
George Charamba, the Deputy Chief Secretary-Presidential Communications in the Office of the President of Zimbabwe, confirmed the news.
In a condolence message, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Mphoko died after a long illness.
"I learnt this afternoon with a deep sense of grief and sadness of the passing on of our former Vice President, Ambassador Report Phelekezela Mphoko, after a long illness. A veteran of our Liberation Struggle, Cde Mphoko's political and military history coincides with the early days of militant nationalism against white settler colonialism which later morphed into the armed Liberation Struggle of which he was among its early architects, brave fighters and crop of formative and outstanding commanders. With his sad departure, our Nation has lost yet another stalwart of the Liberation Struggle whose contribution to our hard-won Independence can hardly be overstated," he said.
Mphoko was born on June 11, 1940, in Gwizane, Bubi District, Matabeleland North.
Early Life and Education
Mphoko attended David Livingstone Memorial School in Ntabazinduna and later Mzilikazi High School in Bulawayo. Between 1959 and 1960, he studied Cropping and Animal Husbandry at the Tsholotsho Agricultural Breeding and Experimental School.
His passion for agriculture saw him pursue advanced courses in semen collection, artificial insemination, and embryo transfer at Austria's Institute of Genetics from 1996 to 1999. In 2003, he furthered his studies in Agricultural Farming Finance at the University of Natural Science in the Free State, South Africa.
Family Life
Mphoko was married to Luaurinda, a Mozambican national. They had three children - daughters Sikhumbuzo and Siduduzo, and a son, Siqokoqela - and three grandchildren.
Political and Military Activism
Mphoko's journey into politics began during his tenure at Dunlop Rhodesia Ltd in 1962-63, where he served as a workers' representative. In 1963, he was arrested for political violence after retaliating against a Rhodesian police officer who unleashed a dog on him and fellow youths.
Later that year, while awaiting retrial, Mphoko became a delegate at the Cold Comfort Farm People's Caretaker Council Congress, which led to the formation of a ZAPU Special Affairs Department tasked with organizing the armed struggle.
In April 1964, Mphoko fled Zimbabwe and underwent military training in the Soviet Union between May 1964 and February 1965. Upon his return, he established the first Military Planning Committee to spearhead the liberation struggle.
He played a pivotal role in the Joint Military Command during the ANC/ZAPU Alliance, overseeing logistics and supplies. His contributions extended to commanding operations during the Wankie Campaign alongside South African freedom fighters such as Joe Modise and Chris Hani.
Key Contributions to Liberation and Diplomacy
- 1967-1968: Operated in Sipolilo (now Guruve) alongside Abraham Nkiwane and Dumiso Dabengwa.
- 1976: Participated in the formation of the Patriotic Front in Maputo, Mozambique.
- 1979: Attended the Lancaster House Peace Talks as a military delegate.
- 1980: Served as a special envoy for Dr. Joshua Nkomo, fostering international relations with leaders such as President Samora Machel and Fidel Castro.
- Contributed to the design of Zimbabwe's national flag.
Post-Independence Roles
- 1981: Appointed Deputy Director for Demobilisation in the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
- 1987: Transitioned to the diplomatic service, taking on roles in Mozambique, Austria, Botswana, and Russia.
- 2010: Served as Zimbabwe's Ambassador to South Africa.
Throughout his life, Phelekezela Mphoko was a devoted liberation fighter, diplomat, and public servant, contributing significantly to Zimbabwe's independence and development. His work, spanning military strategy, international diplomacy, and agricultural innovation, leaves a lasting imprint on the nation's history.
Legally, Mphoko was the acting President of Zimbabwe from 21 - 24 November 2017, however, as he was not in the country at the time, official standing on this is unclear. Mphoko's term as vice-president was ended by President Emmerson Mnangagwa following the dissolution of the cabinet on 27 November 2017.
This is a developing story and will be updated as new information is received.
Source - online
