Ambassador Thomas Mandigora, a distinguished war veteran, diplomat, and former Chief Executive of the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) passed away on Saturday afternoon at his residence in Gletwyn, Harare, succumbing to complications from a stroke he suffered last month.
Ambassador Mandigora dedicated 12 years of his life to serving in Botswana, from September 2005 to 2018, where he played a pivotal role in bilateral political dialogue and the enhancement of cooperation between Zimbabwe and Botswana. He held the esteemed position of Dean of the Diplomatic Corps during his tenure.
His departure comes at a time when relations between the two nations had reached new heights, marked by the signing of the Bi-National Commission at the SADC Council of Ministers and Summit in Windhoek, Namibia.
Background of Thomas Mandigora
Born on June 9, 1955, at Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo, Ambassador Mandigora embarked on his journey of service to his country at a young age. At the age of 21, he left Highfield in Salisbury and ventured to Mozambique in 1976, traversing through Chief Tangwena’s area. In Mozambique, he underwent military training and was deployed to the front lines, where he sustained injuries that compelled him to transition to the rear. There, he joined the ZANU publicity department, working alongside esteemed figures such as Ambassador Chris Mutsvangwa, Webster Shamu, and Munyaradzi Machacha, among others.
During the war, Ambassador Mandigora played a pivotal role in diplomatic efforts for ZANU, reporting directly to the chief representative of the party. As the party waged the armed struggle through its military wing, ZANLA, he formed part of the team dispatched to Zambia to pursue diplomatic solutions. His participation in meetings aimed at mobilizing resources, both political and material, served to bolster the liberation efforts.
Following the war, Ambassador Mandigora joined the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) in 1980, where he held various positions before assuming the role of Director of News and Current Affairs in 1986. He later became the Director of Programmes, News, and Current Affairs from 1992 to 2001. Additionally, he collaborated with numerous broadcasting institutions regionally and internationally before his appointment as Chief Executive of the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) from 2001 to 2005.
Ambassador Mandigora furthered his education at the University of Lincolnshire and Humberside in the United Kingdom, where he obtained a Masters in Business Administration degree in 1996, alongside a post-graduate diploma in Business Administration.
Details regarding funeral arrangements are currently being finalized, as per the family spokesperson and his son, Mr. Tongai Mandigora. In the meantime, his fellow war veterans have submitted a request to the ruling ZANU-PF party, seeking hero status for Ambassador Mandigora.
His youngest daughter, Rufaro, expressed the irreplaceable void left by her father’s passing, highlighting his role as their pillar of strength. She stated, “Words fail me when describing my father’s impact on myself and the entire family. He provided unwavering support and care. He was a joyful man who cherished and prioritized his family.”