In memory of Makomborero Pfebeni

By Blessing Vava

The sudden death of former ZINASU Secretary for International Relations Makomborero Ham Phebeni robbed the students union and all pro democratic forces of Zimbabwe of a gallant student and human rights activist. Makomborero died in a tragic car accident on the Harare to Masvingo highway on the night of Friday 3 July 2009.

With him in the same car was his long time friend and Former ZINASU Treasurer Samuel Mangoma who suffered head and hand injuries. We wish him a speedy recovery. Cde Phebeni led an extraordinary contribution on many fronts to the struggle against dictatorship, academic freedoms and for a democratic Zimbabwe.

He was born in 1979 and grew up in the Midlands Province. Makomborero served as Student Representative Council President at Gweru Polytechnic from 2005-2006, and was in May 2006 elected ZINASU’s Secretary for International Relations in the Promise Mkwananzi led Executive a position he held till 2007.As President at Gweru Polytechnic he played a crucial role as the most senior comrade who was responsible for identifying and recruiting new and young comrades for the students movement in the Midlands Province.

During his time in the students movement that’s where he met Samuel Mangoma, who was then SRC President at the Midlands State University in 2005.The two became close and inseparable cadres of the struggle until the time of his death. They became household names in the students’ movement and earned a nickname the ‘Midlands Duo,’ as they were always seen together.

He was instrumental in the Defending Academic Freedoms in Zimbabwe (DAfiZ) Campaign which was launched by ZINASU in February 2006 after the Mugabe Government introduced a genocidal fee increase and automatically scrapping of funding for students in tertiary institutions. A holder of a National Certificate in Auto Electrics from Gweru Polytechnic Makomborero graduated from Gweru Polytechnic in 2007 before joining Nissan Clover Harare were he was attached as an Auto Electrician.

He will be buried in his home area Shurugwi today.

He was remarkably bright and brave; relentless in his fight for justice. We want to remember ‘Mako’ as he was affectionately known for the light he shed that others might see; for the life he shared so selflessly; and for the vision, the wisdom, the dedication, and compassion he dispensed so generously. We will remember him as the husband, father, brother, friend, and comrade that he was. We want to remember him for the cause that he espoused, which turned into his own life’s quest for a humanity liberated from the stranglehold of tyranny, fear, hatred, prejudice, ignorance, and rapaciousness. Your contribution to the students struggles will forever be cherished.

Go well great colleague, great comrade, and great friend

Rest in Eternal Peace

ZINASU National Spokesperson

Blessing Vava