tawandamusarurwa
Tanyaradzwa Rusike
SOME people choose to go beyond the call of duty and seemingly dedicate their lives to a higher calling.
Ambassador Mary Mubi, who was honoured last week for her outstanding contribution to the nation, is one such person.
She was bestowed with the Order of the Star of Zimbabwe in Gold for her work in branding the country.
She has literally “put Zimbabwe on the map”.
“My father and mother, who are sadly no longer with us, both had an incredible work ethic and left a legacy of love of family and strength in their children,” Ambassador Mubi, who is chairperson of Transmedia, told The Sunday Mail.
“In my working life, I have derived great satisfaction from trying out new ideas, but also had sufficient confidence to value those who can contribute to whatever project I am undertaking.”
Born in Kwekwe in a family of five, she said being able to take in the perspectives of others helped her immensely.
“Whatever success I have achieved has come because I have gravitated towards people who can bring new ideas or share interesting perspectives.
“I generally try to keep away from negative people, and I have been fortunate enough to work with so many incredible people during my career in the public sector.
“And whilst there have been many obstacles, my motivation has always been to make a lasting difference.”
Last week, Government honoured Dr Sikhulile Moyo, Ambassador Mubi, Dr Agnes Mahomva and the Angel of Hope Foundation for their outstanding achievements in service of the nation.
They all received their awards from President Mnangagwa during the Heroes Day celebrations held at the National Heroes Acre on Monday.
“The recognition and award are humbling and an affirmation that my contribution, though modest, was acknowledged and appreciated,” added Ambassador Mubi. This award is given to me after a long career in the public sector and is, thus, a fitting end to a career punctuated by periods of self-doubt.
“I can, thus, retire with the satisfaction of knowing I played a small part in the building of our great nation.”
Having spent most of her career outside the country, the mother of three daughters, who has also been blessed with three grandchildren, always believed she had a role to play in the country’s development.
“I undertook my secondary, tertiary and undergraduate education in the United Kingdom and my Master’s degree in the United States. The focus of my Master’s degree was Education Administration and Curriculum Development.
“Having spent part of my life outside the country, I always felt I had an obligation to contribute towards my country.
“I firmly ascribe to the mantra that ‘we all have a role to play in national development’.
“I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to serve in many capacities, and whatever small role I was given, I tried to make a difference.”
On returning to Zimbabwe in the early 1980s, Ambassador Mubi joined the new Ministry of Community Development and Women’s Affairs, which was charged with the mobilisation and empowerment of women for development.
She rose through the ranks and became the Deputy Secretary of Community Development, a role in which she coordinated community empowerment programmes and mobilised learners and volunteers for the famed adult literacy campaign.
She also worked in the Ministry of Political Affairs in the President’s Office, where she liaised with politicians from the then two main political parties — ZANU and ZAPU — as they operationalised the Unity Accord.
During her ambassadorial term, she was posted to Namibia, Sweden and Italy.
“While in Sweden, I was the dean of the Diplomatic Corp and chaired the forum of regional deans, and also facilitated the African Group in a number of investment initiatives, and enhanced collaboration between the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries and private sector organisations in the region,” she said.
“During my posting in Rome, I facilitated Zimbabwe’s participation at Biennale in Venice, one of the biggest art shows, which the National Gallery of Zimbabwe regularly attends and has provided our arts a global platform to showcase the incredible artistic talents of our artists.
“I also facilitated relations between the Italian Ministry of Culture, which facilitated the hosting of the ‘Kariba exhibition’ at a prestigious art gallery in Rome, and that resulted in the provision of technical support for the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.”
Her final assignment before retiring was being appointed Zimbabwe’s Commissioner-General to Expo Dubai 2020.
“Following the expo, there was increased trade and investment between Zimbabwe and the United Arab Emirates and other countries in the region, which has seen our horticultural products finding lucrative markets.The expositions showcased the country’s opportunities in sectors like agriculture, trade, investment, mining, tourism, transport and smart cities,” she said.
Ambassador Mubi is also known for fighting for women’s rights.
Her daughter, Chipo Mubi, is proud of what her mother has achieved.
“Our mother’s legacy of work ethic, service, love of people and kindness was not just a hat she wore in the office wherever we went; she was always trying to help people and she wears the badge of civil servant today in retirement,” said Chipo.
“There are simply not enough words to describe the pride we have in knowing that we come from such an incredibly hardworking woman, who showed us that you can do things the right way and still soar to incredible heights.
“The impact she continues to make in people’s lives follows us in every Government department we go to.
“Whenever people hear that we are her children, they smile and tell us of an encounter they had with her or a kind deed she did for them.
“In everything that mum does, she leads with her heart. She has a heart of gold.”
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Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter