Zimbabwean Envoy Phelekezela Mphoko Describe your career leading up to your appointment as Zimbabwean High Commissioner to SA.
What is your view of Zimbabweans in SA and their interaction with the High Commission?
I trained as an agriculturalist in the areas of field and animal husbandry. Unfortunately, it was difficult for me to practice my craft after school and the job market was also very grim in the then Southern Rhodesia. In 1964, I went to the Soviet Union to study military science and on my return a few years
It is a known fact that there is a very big Zimbabwean community in SA. No matter what country one is from, it is important to stay in touch with your country of origin and one way of doing that is interacting with your embassy. With respect to Zimbabweans, this has been happening consistently and my view
“I am thankful to God for having protected me for the 16 years I spent in the struggle fighting for Zimbabwe’s independence in the bush. He protected me from all kinds of dangers including snakes and bullets....” later I spent more than a decade in the guerrilla warfare struggle for an independent Zimbabwe. Soon after independence in 1980, I served as a diplomat in Mozambique and Austria before being appointed ambassador to Botswana. I later served as ambassador to Russia before being appointed the High Commissioner to SA. I am the fourth ambassador to this country and I believe my responsibility is to maintain the good relations between Zimbabwe and SA that my predecessors have established.
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is that they should keep this up. I would also advise them to consider investing in Zimbabwe as there are plenty of opportunities; it is one of the richest countries in the region. How would you describe the relationship between Zimbabwe and SA? The relationship between the two countries is very good starting from presidential level where our president has a cordial relationship with the presidency here. This extends to all levels of government. Our ministers are frequently invited to the country by their counterparts for various meetings which is clear evidence of a good relationship.
What do you perceive to be the highlights of your career? I am thankful to God for having protected me for the 16 years I spent in the struggle fighting for Zimbabwe’s independence in the bush. He protected me from all kinds of dangers including snakes and bullets. The most important thing for a diplomat is to host his or her head of state. I consider it an achievement to make sure that the President is received in a conducive environment. Also as an ambassador, gaining access to your hosts and making meaningful contact is essential to achieving your objectives. Tell us more about your personal life including your hobbies and family. When I went to the Soviet Union in the 1960’s, my strategic studies included photojournalism. Since then it has been a hobby; at one stage I had 17 different cameras! I also enjoy cloud viewing; I am determined to capture the image of a cloud that is in the shape of Zimbabwe. I have photos of clouds that resemble the shape of many different countries but the Zimbabwean one has eluded me and so I always have a camera with me in case I see it. I also play golf and love jazz music. I also love cooking ever since I got married I have cooked Sunday lunch for my wife and children. I have two daughters who are doctors and a son who is an agriculturalist.