BULAWAYO – Former deputy minister and Zanu PF Women’s League deputy secretary Thokozile Mathuthu has died.
She was 60.
Mathuthu, a former Minister of State for Matabeleland North, died early Monday after succumbing to cancer, a family source said.
She also served as Deputy Minister in the ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services.
The Zanu PF women’s league has recommended that she be awarded national heroine status.
Her husband, Jonathan Mathuthu, said she died at their home in Harare at 4.30AM.
Zanu PF central committee member, Molly Mpofu, praised Mathuthu’s work ethic.
“She was a fearless and a strong woman, who was principled and honoured Zanu PF’s values,” Mpofu said.
“Mathuthu showed enthusiasm and dedication towards black rule. She was one of the strongest women in the party. I remember how well we worked together. We travelled the liberation journey together as youths and trained when we went out of the country.
“We came back to the country together again and became part of Zapu’s central committee, of which Angeline Masuku was the chair then. I was the first organising secretary in the Unity Accord between Zanu and Zapu, of which Mathuthu gave her support,” she said.
“As women from Zimbabwe, we wish the elders can honour her efforts and let her lie at the National Heroes Acre. There are some buried there who are not worth their salt as Mathuthu was. She is one of those people who knew how it was to go through the struggle for independence.”
Mpofu was speaking on the sidelines at the provincial commemorations of Heroes Day at Nkulumane.
The Minister of State for Bulawayo Metropolitan, Angeline Masuku, extended her condolences and said Mathuthu was a hardworker.
“I knew her from our early days when we joined the struggle. Mathuthu was a hardworker, she served Matabeleland North well and was committed to serving others,” she said.
- This story had been edited to correct Mathuthu’s age from 50 to 60
