admin
Sheuneni Kurasha Correspondent
The great iroko tree has fallen!
As the nation mourns the passing of Austin Muranganwa Zvoma on Saturday, we remember a remarkable individual who held the esteemed position of Clerk of Parliament of Zimbabwe for nearly three decades.
In this moment, I find myself in a bittersweet moment, grappling mixed emotions.
On one hand, I grieve the loss of a cherished family friend and mentor. On the other, I celebrate the life of a man who dedicated his entire existence to public and parliamentary service, always serving with distinction.
Mr Zvoma started his journey at the legislature in July 1979 as a Committee Clerk and steadily ascended the ranks, ultimately reaching the position of Clerk of Parliament in November 1989. His dedicated service continued until November 2014.
Leaders like AMZ or Chikonamombe, as we fondly called him, are a rare breed.
He transcended generational boundaries in his relentless pursuit of empowering individuals beyond his own generation. He epitomised principled leadership and ultimate professionalism.
I recall one fine day in April 2006 when I interviewed for and accepted the position of director/manager in the Clerk’s Office.
We engaged in a discussion about the fundamental values that should guide our work. Two pearls of wisdom that he imparted during that conversation have remained with me ever since:
- “I would rather lose this job for doing it rightly than to keep it for doing it wrongly.”
- “Within this office, we are colleagues, and you don’t let the emperor go out naked.”
He consistently embodied these values in both words and actions throughout my tenure at the Parliament of Zimbabwe. This not only made my advisory role in administrative and parliamentary procedures enjoyable, but also relatively easy. That is why, even though I had to leave Parliament in December 2008 for career development reasons, when I was serving as the assistant Clerk of Parliament responsible for committees and House procedures, I truly felt the loss of an exceptional mentor.
In a quintessential AMZ moment, I once confided in him that I was contemplating withdrawing from a job interview process midway.
His response was as profound as it was simple: “You can’t turn down an offer you haven’t been given.”
I heeded his advice, went through the process, emerged successful and eventually accepted the job offer.
Mr Zvoma left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of working with and learning from him.
Throughout the more than three decades during which he held the position of Clerk of Parliament in Zimbabwe, Mr Zvoma not only demonstrated exceptional administrative skills but also emerged as a prominent authority in parliamentary development.
His service was characterised by elegance and distinction, both nationally and internationally.
He epitomised professionalism, not just excelling but establishing the pinnacle of excellence in parliamentary affairs.
Whether within the corridors of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, Pan African Parliament, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, or the Inter-Parliamentary Union, AMZ commanded profound respect owing to the wealth of knowledge he exuded and extensive experience he brought to parliamentary administration, practices and procedures.
His reputation as an expert in these fields was truly unparalleled.
A remarkable aspect of Mr Zvoma’s character was his profound love for people.
His affection was genuine, and he warmly welcomed and endeared himself to all, consistently striving to make a positive impact in any situation.
Through him, I had the privilege of meeting numerous individuals who eventually became my own friends, each echoing a common testimony of his authentic love for humanity.
Among those touched by his warmth were the Murewa brothers, Dr Tauya and Tichaona.
They first crossed paths with AMZ during his tenure as the Secretary for Dynamos Football Club, and their enduring friendship bore testament to the depth of affection he shared with those he encountered.
Mr Zvoma transcended the boundaries of a mere professional luminary; he embodied a multifaceted personality. Beyond his role at Parliament, he was a passionate farmer, tending not only to crops but also to the development of minds and talents within his sphere.
His leadership ethos was firmly anchored in empowerment and the pursuit of excellence in execution. He firmly believed in the innate merit of each individual and took it upon himself to nurture their potential, enabling them to thrive under his guidance.
His mentorship was characterised by a sincere desire to witness the success of others, all while upholding unwavering standards of quality. He often drew inspiration from the old South African Airways slogan: “We did not invent flying, but we perfected it.”
This served as a constant reminder to his team, urging them to excel and never settle for mediocrity.
What truly distinguished Mr Zvoma was not solely his professional excellence but also his unwavering passion for life.
He was a jovial soul with a remarkable gift for singing, with his melodious tunes having the power to enrapture any audience. This was especially evident at national and international parliamentary events, where his performances were eagerly anticipated, and he consistently shone in his element.
Mr Zvoma was part of the Mbare Trio at one time with the late veteran jazz musician Friday Mbirimi.
His passion for music resonated in perfect harmony with his deep affection for people, with both qualities seamlessly interwoven into his character.
He embodied the essence of a true people person, effortlessly engaging with individuals of all ages. His warm and approachable demeanour made everyone feel genuinely valued and respected.
As we commemorate the life and enduring legacy of Austin Muranganwa Zvoma, we pay tribute not only to his substantial contributions to parliamentary affairs in Zimbabwe, across the African continent and on the global stage but also to the profound impact he had on those privileged to have known him.
He exemplified the potency of leadership steeped in professionalism, mentorship and a sincere concern for others. His memory will forever illuminate our paths, serving as a guiding beacon in our individual journeys, while his legacy will perpetually ignite inspiration for generations to come.
l Sheuneni Kurasha is former director in the Clerk’s Office and Assistant Clerk of Parliament of the Parliament of Zimbabwe. He is currently the Programme Manager for Democracy, Governance and Human Rights for the SADC Parliament and Chief Mentor for the SADC Youth Parliament. He writes in his personal capacity.
Online Reporter