‘Late Amb Mandigora a forthright man’
THE late war veteran and distinguished diplomat Ambassador Thomas Mandigora, who died in May last year, was a resilient and forthright man who diligently discharged his duties in service of his country.
This was said by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Acting Permanent Secretary Ambassador Rofina Chikava during a memorial service held in his honour in Harare yesterday.
“He was a man who connected with all people regardless of their status.
“Our presence here reflects the many attributes and hats which Ambassador Mandigora wore,” she said.
She described the late diplomat as a veteran broadcaster who played a central role in warding off negative publicity on the country during the post-land reform era.
“I had the pleasure to work with Ambassador Mandigora, during his sole diplomatic posting to Botswana, at a time when I was in neighbouring Namibia,” said Amb Chikava.
“He became a brother to whom I sentimentally related, as we served the country and promoted its interests abroad.
“He was a resilient and forthright character.
“We will forever remember his exploits in the history of our country, starting from 1976 when he underwent military training in Tembwe, Tete Province.
“This became the genesis of his lifetime of service to his beloved motherland. “It also moulded him.”
As a broadcaster, she said, Amb Mandigora fiercely campaigned for development of the local media industry and that of the developing world.
“During the post-land reform era, Ambassador Mandigora exhibited the same resolve, this time warding off the negative publicity which Zimbabwe got,” she said.
She also said he performed his duties diligently when he was heading the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ).
“Having risen to become the founding chief executive officer of the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe between 20012005, he remained conscious of the high expectations required of him to advance the national agenda beyond the lofty job.
“He understood the mission well and these experiences became a precursor to his appointment as Ambassador to the Republic of Botswana in 2005, a role he served in until 2018, following which he retired from Government,” she said.
“Through his stewardship, our relations with the sister Republic of Botswana grew significantly and proved instrumental in our blossoming cooperation.”
Speaking during the same event, Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Minister Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa revisited Amb Mandigora’s journey during the liberation struggle.
Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, ZANU PF Deputy Political Commissar Cde Webster Shamu and former Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Kindness Paradza attended the memorial service.