ED mourns SB Moyo President Emmerson Mnangagwa (right) congratulating Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Major-General (Retired) Sibusiso Moyo after the swearing in ceremony at State House in 2017

Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday expressed shock and grief following the death of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo (SB), describing him as a distinguished scholar whose patience and dignified diplomacy saw the country expanding friendships and registering significant diplomatic gains across the globe.

Dr Moyo (59) succumbed to Covid-19 yesterday morning at a local hospital.

He became popular because of the role he played during Operation Restore Legacy.

Dr Moyo read the November 15, 2017 speech that heralded the new political dispensation in Zimbabwe. He became a household name for displaying unparalleled bravery.

In his condolence message, President Mnangagwa said Dr Moyo will be remembered by generations to come for his dedication to his country.

“The death early this morning of our Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Major-General (Rtd) Dr SB Moyo, after Covid-19 related complications has come to all of us as a great shock. On behalf of the ruling party, Zanu-PF, Government, my family, on my own and that of our entire nation, I wish to express my sincere and deep heartfelt condolences to the Moyo family,” he said.

“My heart goes out especially to his wife, Justice Matanda-Moyo, and to the children on their saddest loss. In condoling with them, I urge them to derive solace and comfort from the distinguished role Dr Moyo played in the service of his people and the nation, for which he shall be remembered and honoured across generations.”

President Mnangagwa said the late Dr Moyo whom he appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 2017, was determined in executing the Second Republic’s engagement and re-engagement policy through which the country sought to mend relations with the Western countries that imposed illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Dr Sibusiso Moyo (second from right) is assisted to cut a cake by Democratic Republic of Congo Ambassador to Zimbabwe and Dean of Diplomatic Corps Dr Mawampanga Mwana Nanga (third from right) and other invited guests during the 55th Africa Day Celebrations in Harare in July 2018

“In that onerous role, our nation relied on him for a determined execution of our engagement and re-engagement policy through which we sought to embrace the rest of the world, while repairing relations with those countries which had taken positions against us over our legitimate and principled decision to recover our heritage, principally land,” he said.

“He persistently deployed patient and dignified diplomacy, even against difficult and often hostile interlocutors. Through that patience and perseverance, Zimbabwe has expanded friendships, and registered significant diplomatic gains and victories across the globe.”

The President said Dr Moyo was a distinguished scholar who delicately balanced his time between his responsibilities and chores as a soldier, and his pursuit of higher studies. “Such was his discipline and unrelenting quest for self-improvement which inspired all of us,” he said.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa described Dr Moyo as a patriot of a rare personal calibre, outstanding military capability and remarkable political acumen.

She said Dr Moyo played a central role in the peaceful transfer of power through the November 2017 restoration of the revolution.

“His meticulous planning and execution of pertinent events saved the nation from chaos and bloodshed. He would go on to tackle the pariah status of the nation on his appointment as Foreign Minister,” she said.

Minister Mutsvangwa said Dr Moyo cultivated a symbiotic relationship with her ministry “as we worked to rebrand the image of the nation.”

“To both traditional friends and erstwhile adversaries, he was easy to work with because we shared the common bonds as cadres of the national war of liberation! We will forever be indebted to Comrade Dr SB Moyo,” she said.

Zanu-PF secretary for information and publicity, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo said the nation was robbed of a dedicated veteran of the liberation struggle, a decorated military luminary and an accomplished academic whose service to the country was invaluable.

He said Dr Moyo served the country’s pre- and post-independence epoch with distinction.

“Indeed, Zimbabwe’s undisputed march towards the attainment of an Upper-Middle Income Economy owes its revitalised momentum to the ingenuity of this illustrious son of the soil. SB as he was affectionately known, was a principled revolutionary, focused, courageous and a forthright character,” said Ambassador Khaya Moyo.

“With a heavy heart, the revolutionary party expresses its heartfelt condolences to his dear wife, Justice Mrs Loice Matanda-Moyo and the entire family on the painful loss of a dear husband and father. The family should take solace from the fact that this gigantic loss is not theirs alone, but that of the entire nation.”

On his Twitter handle Chief Justice Luke Malaba said Dr Moyo was a true patriot and key pillar in the new dispensation.

 

“My heartfelt condolences to the family of Cde @MinisterSBMoyo, to His Excellency @edmnangagwa and Government and to the wide Zimbabwean community for the loss of a true patriot and freedom fighter, a key pillar of the new dispensation. RIP SB Moyo, your good works remain with us,” he said.

In a Twitter message the Chinese Embassy to Zimbabwe wrote:
“The Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe is deeply saddened by the passing of Hon. Lt. Gen (RTD) Dr S.B. Moyo. Dr. Moyo has been a dear friend to China and a strong supporter of the deep friendship between China and Zimbabwe.

His outstanding contribution to the excellent relations between the two countries will be forever remembered,” wrote the Embassy.

“In this sorrowful time, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and to the government and people of Zimbabwe. May our condolences bring you peace during this painful time. China continues to stand strong with Zimbabwe to overcome the pandemic and all the challenges that may come our way in the years to come.”

The Russiain Embassy also released a statement saying: “It is with the deepest sorrow and regret that the Embassy has learnt of the passing away of Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Hon. Dr. Sibusiso Busi Moyo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Zimbabwe. The Russian side highly appreciates Honourable Moyo’s devotion to the development of the Russian-Zimbabwean partnership, including his pivotal role as the Co-Chair of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technical Cooperation.

We are eternally grateful to Minister Moyo for his untiring efforts to promote bilateral relations and enhance the deep-rooted friendship between our peoples and nations,” read the statement.

“The Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Zimbabwe conveys the profound condolences to the Moyo family, the Leadership and the People of the Republic of Zimbabwe. Let the soul of Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Hon. Dr. Sibusiso Busi Moyo rest in peace.”

South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, said she learnt with shock of the passing away of her colleague Dr Moyo. “On behalf of President Ramaphosa, the Government of the Republic of South Africa and its people, I wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to the Government and the people of the Republic of Zimbabwe.

The passing of Minister Moyo comes at a time when our two countries had agreed on a list of priority issues to be addressed following the previous Binational Commission chaired by the respective Presidents of South Africa and Zimbabwe in March 2019 in Harare,” said Dr Pandor.

“Dr Moyo is lauded for his dedication and commitment to strengthening the deep bilateral relations between South Africa and Zimbabwe. Since his appointment in 2017 as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Minister Moyo has displayed true pan-Africanism in the way he led on several important issues affecting our bilateral relations and the SADC region during the time Zimbabwe was the chair of the SADC Organ for Politics, Defence and Security in 2020.

His pan-Africanist views and arguments will always be missed in the multilateral governance organisations of our Continent Africa.”

Writing on his official Twitter account, EU Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ambassador Timo Olkkonen also mourned the death of Dr Moyo.

“Very sad news indeed about the passing away of @MinisterSBMoyo. Zimbabwe has lost a professional Foreign Minister and a great interlocutor. My sincere condolences go to family, friends and colleagues,” he tweeted.

Ambassador Olkkonen said while they had a fair share of differences of views and opinions with Dr Moyo, he always valued “our frank, open and good humoured exchanges.”

“We could always tackle even difficult issues head on. I will miss those exchanges. While I can’t claim to have known him well on a personal level, I am well aware he was highly regarded also from by his colleagues as a great personality,” he said.

“I was very touched last year when he sent a personal letter of condolences when my own father passed away. MHSRIP.”

UK Ambassador to Zimbabwe Melanie Robinson said she was saddened by Dr Moyo’s death.

“I was saddened to hear of the death of Foreign Affairs Minister SB Moyo today. My condolences go to his family. The UK stands by Zimbabwe in its fight against Covid-19,” she said.

Born in 1961 at Mnene Hospital in Mberengwa district, Midlands Province, Dr Moyo interrupted his high school studies to join the liberation struggle, distinguishing himself as a courageous freedom fighter who helped liberate the country from the repressive colonial regime. At Independence, he was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) which he served with gallantry and characteristic loyalty.

He rapidly rose through the ranks until he became part of the top Command of the country security establishment, becoming a Major General. Upon retirement from the ZNA in 2017, Dr Moyo was promoted to Lieutenant- General.
He was appointed the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, a position that he held until the time of his death. He was also a member of the Zanu-PF Politburo. In 2017, President Mnangagwa appointed him Minister of Foreign Affairs and later adding International Trade to the portfolio.

Dr Moyo joined the liberation struggle in 1976 and received military training in Zambia and the then Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). When the country attained Independence in 1980, he was integrated into the ZNA as a Captain.

Between 1981-1982, Dr Moyo was the General Staff Officer (S02), at the Army Headquarters.

In 1983, he became a course officer at the Zimbabwe Military Academy (ZMA) before he was elevated to officer Commanding Foundation Wing, ZMA in 1984. In 1985, Dr Moyo was promoted to Deputy Chief Instructor, ZMA before moving to the Zimbabwe Staff College in 1986 where he directed staff.

In 1990, he was moved to the Army Headquarters as General Staff Officer Planning. Between 1992 and 1994, he was appointed Commander of the now disbanded 6 Brigade in Guinea Fowl in Gweru.

Between 1994 and 1995, Dr Moyo was deployed to Somalia under the United Nations Mission in Somalia as Deputy Chief of Staff. Between 1995 and1997 he was Commandant, ZMA and from 1997 to 2000, Dr Moyo served as Brigadier responsible for administration, Army Headquarters. Between 2000 and 2004, he was appointed Senior Personnel Staff Officer to Commander Defence Forces, Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF HQ) Headquarters.

From 2004 to 2005, Dr Moyo was Director General Military Strategic Planning, ZDF HQ.

In 2006, he was appointed Deputy Inspector General, ZDF HQ until 2010. Between 2010 and 2014, Dr Moyo was Director General Defence for Economic Development Department at ZDF HQ. From 2014 to 2017, he was the Chief of Staff Quartermaster Staff at the Army Headquarters.

Dr Moyo is survived by wife, Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo and two children.-@mashnets

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