The chain-smoking Mukonoweshuro died on Friday morning. He was Minister of Public Service.
A loyal aide to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, he was believed to be one of the MDC’s top strategists.
Even after trading academia for the political arena, Mukonoweshuro remained a true academic at heart.
"The country has lost a good man, a good intellectual, a good democrat, and a committed citizen," said one of his students, Takura Zhangazha.
Mukonoweshuro was the Dean of Social Sciences at the University of Zimbabwe before he went into full time politics in 2009.
Zhangazha said "the Prof", as he was affectionately known, would be remembered for his passion for democracy, human rights and academic freedom.
He was a man of the people, and did not interact with intellectuals only.
Prof Lovemore Madhuku, constitutional expert and lecturer in University of Zimbabwe’s Faculty of Law, who worked closely with Mukonoweshuro, paid tribute to him as democrat, politician, negotiator and activist for human rights.
"Mukonoweshuro was a true servant of the people, who at the time of his death was working tirelessly to ensure that civil servants get better remuneration and working conditions. We are mourning with his family and the MDC at this darkest hour," the NCA said in a statement.
He was undoubtedly one of the greatest intellectuals and politicians in Zimbabwe. He was an extraordinary person who will be remembered for his noble and courageous capacity to challenge contentious issues and to engage in robust discussions.
He will certainly be remembered as the Public Service minister who vigorously instituted reforms aimed at weeding out ghost workers from the civil service payroll. His influence in that ministry was palpable.
Post published in: News