Online Reporter
Joseph Madzimure-Zimpapers Politics Hub
FORMER Herald deputy editor and Zimbabwean envoy to Brazil, Ambassador Thomas Sukutai Bvuma has died.
He was 71.
His close friend, Zanu PF spokesperson Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa, confirmed the death, saying he just received a call that he died yesterday morning.
Ambassador Bvuma was recognised as a revolutionary poet, a former Ambassador awarded the Order of the Southern Cross, and the author of the historical novel “The Chosen Generation” (2021). The novel focuses on the experiences of a young man, Masara Musamba, in Rhodesia.
Last year, the Institute of African Knowledge/Museum of African Liberation launched Ambassador Bvuma’s book, “The Chosen Generation”.
Amb Mutsvangwa highlighted that Ambassador Bvuma was a former student at St Augustine’s School, Tsambe, Penhalonga, who joined Zanla in 1976 from the then University of Rhodesia, where he was in his second-year degree studies.
Amb Bvuma arrived at Doroi Refugee Camp in 1976 from where he was transferred to Chimoio Military Base for politico-military training. Thereafter, he was selected for further training at Chitepo Ideological College.
“President Mnangagwa head-hunted him to resume university studies, this time at Eduardo Mondlane University in 1977. The gathering and more confident pace of the Chimurenga II Struggle prompted the party leadership to consider post-victory manpower needs,” said Amb Mutsvangwa.
He stated that the Maputo University was one of the foreign institutions to positively and quickly answer to this emergent need.
After independence, he served as President Mugabe’s Chief Press Officer
He later moved to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and was posted as ambassador to Brazil
Amb Bvuma has the distinction of being one of the few published authors of the Chimurenga II armed struggle.
Amb Bvuma is survived by his wife Tsitsi, three children and several grandchildren.
