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Ambassador Nyamupinga

Herald Reporters
Career diplomat, Mr Felix Nyamupinga, who died in South Africa last Thursday after a heart attack, was buried yesterday at Glen Forest Memorial Park.
He was 65.
Mr Nyamupinga was husband to Goromonzi East Member of Parliament, Cde Beatrice Nyamupinga.

Speakers described Mr Nyamupinga as a “distinct diplomat” who selflessly defended his country when it was under siege from Western countries, especially in the last decade.

He served as a diplomat in Nigeria (1982-1984), India (1984-1987), Sweden (1989-93) and Australia (2005-2012).

Addressing mourners, Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister, Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa said Mr Nyamupinga was one of Zimbabwe’s first diplomats.

“I knew him when I was sent to Zambia during the liberation struggle to study journalism after getting injured in the war,” he said. “He worked for the party and in a short time I got to know that he was a man of three great loves. He loved his family and wife and he respected the institution of marriage.

He loved his life and the country.”

Ambassador Mutsvangwa said Mr Nyamupinga showed his dedication to the country when he remained in the party after independence.

“He showed it most after independence when he was one of the first diplomats to be posted outside the country,” he said. “Out there, he represented the country well and defended it when it was under attack from our enemies.”

The burial was attended by senior Government officials who included Defence Minister Sydney Sekeramayi, Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Olivia Muchena, Senate President Cde Edna Madzongwe and several deputy ministers and Members of Parliament.

Speaking on behalf of Zanu-PF, Politburo member and former Lands and Rural Resettlement Minister, Cde Herbert Murerwa said he was close to Mr Nyamupinga and that they had many things in common.

“He was a Christian and we were both cool and did not get upset easily,” he said. “He loved the party and stood for it when he was outside the country, the same way his wife did and is doing in Goromonzi. The gap that he has left will be difficult to fill.”

Mr Nyamupinga is survived by his wife Beatrice and three daughters Rutendo, Wadzanai and Gamuchirai.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has sent a condolence message following the death of another diplomat, Cde Kenneth Manyonganise.

Cde Manyonganise died on October 18 and was buried at the Harare Provincial Heroes Acre on Tuesday after being declared a provincial war hero.

He is survived by his wife Hellena and three children.