Susan Tsvangirai
Encyclopedia
Susan Nyaradzo Tsvangirai (24 April 1958 – 6 March 2009) was a prominent figure in Zimbabwe
an politics as a notable member of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai
(MDC-T) political party, and was the wife of Morgan Tsvangirai
, Zimbabwe's Prime Minister
. She has been described as being a mother figure for the country, providing strength behind the scenes.
Tsvangirai met her future husband, Morgan, in 1976 at the Trojan Nickel Mine in Bindura
, Rhodesia
, where he worked at the time as a foreman. She was visiting her uncle at the time of their meeting. Morgan reportedly told a friend at the time, "That is the girl I am going to marry!" They married in 1978 and the couple had six children during their marriage, which lasted for 31 years.
Although Tsvangirai often avoided the direct public spotlight, she played a significant, even if sometimes symbolic, role in Zimbabwean politics. She became one of the most popular figures within the MDC-T. Dennis Murira, the MDC-T Elections Director, described her as "a woman who was of immense significance to the party, a woman who on several occasions managed to comfort a number of us who were victims of this struggle." Supporters often chanted "mother, mother" at rallies and events. She remained by her husband as he faced treason
charges and police beatings in his opposition to President Robert Mugabe
.
In addition to her MDC-T campaign and rally efforts, Tsvangirai offered vital support to her husband, and the MDC-T. Following attempts on Morgan's life, by groups loyal to Mugabe and the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) movement, Tsvangirai brought him food in prison after his police beatings and nursed him back to health afterwards. Such as when, in 1997, an unidentified gang tried to throw Morgan from a tenth floor office window, and in 2007 when he was admitted to hospital after a brutal assault by police at a prayer rally. She also made a point of visiting MDC members who were jailed while the party was in opposition.
In March 2009, following her husband's success in forging a unity government, Tsvangirai told a BBC affiliate that the past decade had been an "endurance test" for her, her husband and his MDC colleagues:
Following her death, Thabitha Khumalo, a member of parliament for the MDC, described her role as "a mother figure for the whole nation. Few people knew about her work. Whenever they saw her she was accompanying her husband to court or to vote, but very few people knew she played a very crucial role behind closed doors... She was a pillar of strength to her husband. In a struggle like his, you need someone to lean on and she was always there for him."
. Her husband, Morgan, who had been prime minister less than one month at the time of the accident, was injured in the crash. The couple had been en route to their home in Buhera
, Manicaland
, where they planned to stay the night before attending a Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai party meeting at the Murambinda Business Center the next day. They were traveling in a Land Cruiser within a three car convoy when a truck belonging to the US aid agency United States Agency for International Aid (USAID) traveling in the opposite direction crossed into their lane and side-swiped their vehicle, causing it to roll over three times.
Morgan said his wife's death was an accident. The British foreign ministry said the truck was part of an aid project jointly funded by the US and UK and that the crash appeared to be "a genuine accident".
Morgan suffered minor bruises and scratches in the accident but Susan was pronounced dead at a hospital in Beatrice, Zimbabwe
at the age of 50 years. Dennis Murira, the executive director
of the Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai political party
, told the media "the devastating news is that he (Morgan Tsvangirai) has lost his beloved wife, a woman who was of immense significance to the party, a woman who on several occasions managed to comfort a number of us who were victims of this struggle." It was announced on 8 March 2009 that Tsvangirai will be buried in her rural home in Buhera
on 11 March 2009.
The crash raised suspicions of foul play. Even though traffic accidents are common in Zimbabwe, due to the fact that vehicles in the country are often in bad shape, many roads are in poor condition, and drivers often are inexperienced; previous political rivals of President Robert Mugabe from Herbert Chitepo
on have also been involved in fatal car accidents: in 2001 Employment Minister Border Gezi
and Defence Minister Moven Mahachi
, and in 2008 government minister and former regional governor Elliot Manyika
, all died in car crashes.
Tom McDonald, the United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe
from 1997 to 2001, said, "I'm skeptical about any motor vehicle accident in Zimbabwe involving an opposition figure... President Mugabe has a history of strange car accidents when someone lo and behold dies - it's sort of his M.O. of how they get rid of people they don't like... So, when I hear that Tsvangirai was in an accident, it gives me pause." The former U.S. diplomat is calling for an outside investigation of the crash.
A statement issued by the MDC said: "We suspect that this is not a genuine accident and we appeal to Zimbabweans in South Africa to remain calm as facts continue to surface. We strongly believe that these are the evil acts of a few individuals bent on derailing the progress of the Inclusive government. We are, however, alive to the fact that a lot of Robert Mugabe's opponents died in suspicious road accidents involving army trucks."
Following the brutal suppression of the opposition leading into the close 2009 election; Mugabe was pressured into a power-sharing deal, resulting in the formation of a unity government. Rumours that the fatal incident was a botched assassination attempt (intended for Morgan rather than Susan) are causing unrest in MDC supporters, which threatens to possibly collapse the fragile Mugabe-Tsvangirai coalition government. Many suspect that the burden of the loss of Tsvangirai's support may also undermine Morgan's performance as Prime Minister.
Morgan Tsvangirai said his wife's death was an accident. The British foreign ministry said the truck was part of an aid project jointly funded by the US and UK and that the crash appeared to be "a genuine accident".
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
an politics as a notable member of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai
Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai
The Movement for Democratic Change Zimbabwe is a political party and the largest party in the House of Assembly of Zimbabwe. It is the main formation formed from the split of the original Movement for Democratic Change in 2005.-Foundation:...
(MDC-T) political party, and was the wife of Morgan Tsvangirai
Morgan Tsvangirai
Morgan Richard Tsvangirai is the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. He is the President of the Movement for Democratic Change - Tsvangirai and a key figure in the opposition to President Robert Mugabe. Tsvangirai was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe on 11 February 2009...
, Zimbabwe's Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Zimbabwe
The Prime Minister of Zimbabwe is the head of government in Zimbabwe. From 1980 to 1987, Robert Mugabe was the first person to hold the position following independence from the United Kingdom. He took office when Rhodesia became the Republic of Zimbabwe on 18 April 1980...
. She has been described as being a mother figure for the country, providing strength behind the scenes.
Personal and political life
Tsvangirai was born Susan Mhundwa on April 24, 1958. She was raised in the Gunde area of Buhera District, which is near Dorowa Minerals.Tsvangirai met her future husband, Morgan, in 1976 at the Trojan Nickel Mine in Bindura
Bindura
Bindura is a town in the province of Mashonaland Central, Zimbabwe. It is located in the Mazowe Valley about 88 km north-east of Harare. According to the 1982 Population Census, the town had a population of 18,243. This rose to 21,167 in the 1992 census. It is the administrative capital of the...
, Rhodesia
Rhodesia
Rhodesia , officially the Republic of Rhodesia from 1970, was an unrecognised state located in southern Africa that existed between 1965 and 1979 following its Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom on 11 November 1965...
, where he worked at the time as a foreman. She was visiting her uncle at the time of their meeting. Morgan reportedly told a friend at the time, "That is the girl I am going to marry!" They married in 1978 and the couple had six children during their marriage, which lasted for 31 years.
Although Tsvangirai often avoided the direct public spotlight, she played a significant, even if sometimes symbolic, role in Zimbabwean politics. She became one of the most popular figures within the MDC-T. Dennis Murira, the MDC-T Elections Director, described her as "a woman who was of immense significance to the party, a woman who on several occasions managed to comfort a number of us who were victims of this struggle." Supporters often chanted "mother, mother" at rallies and events. She remained by her husband as he faced treason
Treason
In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
charges and police beatings in his opposition to President Robert Mugabe
Robert Mugabe
Robert Gabriel Mugabe is the President of Zimbabwe. As one of the leaders of the liberation movement against white-minority rule, he was elected into power in 1980...
.
In addition to her MDC-T campaign and rally efforts, Tsvangirai offered vital support to her husband, and the MDC-T. Following attempts on Morgan's life, by groups loyal to Mugabe and the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) movement, Tsvangirai brought him food in prison after his police beatings and nursed him back to health afterwards. Such as when, in 1997, an unidentified gang tried to throw Morgan from a tenth floor office window, and in 2007 when he was admitted to hospital after a brutal assault by police at a prayer rally. She also made a point of visiting MDC members who were jailed while the party was in opposition.
In March 2009, following her husband's success in forging a unity government, Tsvangirai told a BBC affiliate that the past decade had been an "endurance test" for her, her husband and his MDC colleagues:
Following her death, Thabitha Khumalo, a member of parliament for the MDC, described her role as "a mother figure for the whole nation. Few people knew about her work. Whenever they saw her she was accompanying her husband to court or to vote, but very few people knew she played a very crucial role behind closed doors... She was a pillar of strength to her husband. In a struggle like his, you need someone to lean on and she was always there for him."
Death in car crash
Susan Tsvangirai was killed in a collision on the Harare-Masvingo Road on 6 March 2009, approximately 45 miles south of the capital, HarareHarare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
. Her husband, Morgan, who had been prime minister less than one month at the time of the accident, was injured in the crash. The couple had been en route to their home in Buhera
Buhera
Buhera is a district in the province of Manicaland, Zimbabwe about 82 km south east of Chivhu. It serves as the administrative and commercial centre for the Sabi communal lands....
, Manicaland
Manicaland
Manicaland is a province of Zimbabwe. It has an area of and a population of approximately 1.6 million . Mutare is the capital of the province. -Background:...
, where they planned to stay the night before attending a Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai party meeting at the Murambinda Business Center the next day. They were traveling in a Land Cruiser within a three car convoy when a truck belonging to the US aid agency United States Agency for International Aid (USAID) traveling in the opposite direction crossed into their lane and side-swiped their vehicle, causing it to roll over three times.
Morgan said his wife's death was an accident. The British foreign ministry said the truck was part of an aid project jointly funded by the US and UK and that the crash appeared to be "a genuine accident".
Morgan suffered minor bruises and scratches in the accident but Susan was pronounced dead at a hospital in Beatrice, Zimbabwe
Beatrice, Zimbabwe
Beatrice is a village in the province of Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe. It is located about 54 km south-west of Harare on the main Harare-Masvingo next to the Umfului River. According to the 1982 Population Census, the village had a population of 1,300. The village was named after the Beatrice gold...
at the age of 50 years. Dennis Murira, the executive director
Executive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...
of the Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
, told the media "the devastating news is that he (Morgan Tsvangirai) has lost his beloved wife, a woman who was of immense significance to the party, a woman who on several occasions managed to comfort a number of us who were victims of this struggle." It was announced on 8 March 2009 that Tsvangirai will be buried in her rural home in Buhera
Buhera
Buhera is a district in the province of Manicaland, Zimbabwe about 82 km south east of Chivhu. It serves as the administrative and commercial centre for the Sabi communal lands....
on 11 March 2009.
Impact of the crash and death
Tsvangirai's death came at a challenging time for the fledgling power-sharing government, just two days after Morgan delivered his maiden speech to parliament. Her death further complicated an already tense situation in Zimbabwe's government.The crash raised suspicions of foul play. Even though traffic accidents are common in Zimbabwe, due to the fact that vehicles in the country are often in bad shape, many roads are in poor condition, and drivers often are inexperienced; previous political rivals of President Robert Mugabe from Herbert Chitepo
Herbert Chitepo
Herbert Wiltshire Chitepo led the Zimbabwe African National Union until he was assassinated on March 1975. Although his murderer remains unidentified, the Rhodesian author Peter Stiff says that a former British SAS soldier, Hugh Hind was responsible.Chitepo became the first black citizen of...
on have also been involved in fatal car accidents: in 2001 Employment Minister Border Gezi
Border Gezi
Border Gezi was a Zimbabwean politician. He was a close ally of Robert Mugabe within ZANU-PF and served as Minister for Gender, Youth and Employment from 2000 having previously been a provincial governor....
and Defence Minister Moven Mahachi
Moven Mahachi
Moven Enock Mahachi served as the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Zimbabwe. He was a close ally of Robert Mugabe within Z.A.N.U.-P.F.. Before becoming Defence Minister Mahachi served as M.P. for Makoni West....
, and in 2008 government minister and former regional governor Elliot Manyika
Elliot Manyika
Elliot Tapfumaneyi Manyika was a Zimbabwean politician, who served as Minister without Portfolio and the National political Commissar for ZANU-PF....
, all died in car crashes.
Tom McDonald, the United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe
United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe
The first United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe was appointed on May 23, 1980, after the Republic of Zimbabwe came into being to replace the previous white-minority government of Rhodesia, and its successor Zimbabwe-Rhodesia ....
from 1997 to 2001, said, "I'm skeptical about any motor vehicle accident in Zimbabwe involving an opposition figure... President Mugabe has a history of strange car accidents when someone lo and behold dies - it's sort of his M.O. of how they get rid of people they don't like... So, when I hear that Tsvangirai was in an accident, it gives me pause." The former U.S. diplomat is calling for an outside investigation of the crash.
A statement issued by the MDC said: "We suspect that this is not a genuine accident and we appeal to Zimbabweans in South Africa to remain calm as facts continue to surface. We strongly believe that these are the evil acts of a few individuals bent on derailing the progress of the Inclusive government. We are, however, alive to the fact that a lot of Robert Mugabe's opponents died in suspicious road accidents involving army trucks."
Following the brutal suppression of the opposition leading into the close 2009 election; Mugabe was pressured into a power-sharing deal, resulting in the formation of a unity government. Rumours that the fatal incident was a botched assassination attempt (intended for Morgan rather than Susan) are causing unrest in MDC supporters, which threatens to possibly collapse the fragile Mugabe-Tsvangirai coalition government. Many suspect that the burden of the loss of Tsvangirai's support may also undermine Morgan's performance as Prime Minister.
Morgan Tsvangirai said his wife's death was an accident. The British foreign ministry said the truck was part of an aid project jointly funded by the US and UK and that the crash appeared to be "a genuine accident".
External links
- The Independent: Susan Tsvangirai - An ordinary woman with extraordinary charm
- Daily News: Zimbabwe PM Morgan Tsvangirai injured, wife Susan killed in car crash; party calls for investigation
- The Guardian: Susan Tsvangirai, Zimbabwean premier's wife keen to help poor
- Sydney Morning Herald: Susan Tsvangirai,1958-2009