Susan Tsvangirai
| Susan Tsvangirai | |
|---|---|
| Spouse of the 2nd Prime Minister of Zimbabwe |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 April 1958 Buhera, Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland |
| Died | 6 March 2009 (aged 50) Harare–Masvingo Highway, Zimbabwe |
| Spouse(s) | Morgan Tsvangirai |
| Children | 6 (3 daughters and 3 sons) |
| Occupation | Businesswoman (sewing and catering) |
| Religion | Methodist |
Susan Nyaradzo Tsvangirai (24 April 1958 – 6 March 2009) was a prominent figure in Zimbabwean politics as a notable member of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC-T) political party, and was the wife of Morgan Tsvangirai, Zimbabwe's Prime Minister. She has been described as being a mother figure for the country, providing strength behind the scenes.
Tsvangirai was born Susan Mhundwa on 24 April 1958. She was raised in the Gunde area of Buhera District, which is near Dorowa Minerals.
Tsvangirai met her future husband, Morgan, in 1976 at the Trojan Nickel Mine in Bindura, Rhodesia, where he worked at the time as a foreman. She was visiting her uncle at the time of their meeting. Morgan reportedly told a friend at the time, "That is the girl I am going to marry!" They married in 1978 and the couple had six children during their marriage, which lasted for 31 years.
Although Tsvangirai often avoided the direct public spotlight, she played a significant, even if sometimes symbolic, role in Zimbabwean politics. She became one of the most popular figures within the MDC-T. Dennis Murira, the MDC-T Elections Director, described her as "a woman who was of immense significance to the party, a woman who on several occasions managed to comfort a number of us who were victims of this struggle." Supporters often chanted "mother, mother" at rallies and events. She remained by her husband as he faced treason charges and police beatings in his opposition to President Robert Mugabe.
In addition to her MDC-T campaign and rally efforts, Tsvangirai offered vital support to her husband, and the MDC-T. Following attempts on Morgan's life, by groups loyal to Mugabe and the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) movement, Tsvangirai brought him food in prison after his police beatings and nursed him back to health afterwards. Such as when, in 1997, an unidentified gang tried to throw Morgan from a tenth floor office window, and in 2007 when he was admitted to hospital after a brutal assault by police at a prayer rally. She also made a point of visiting MDC members who were jailed while the party was in opposition.
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