On the 14th August at around 11 o’clock I called Zambara from Harare International Airport. I was to board a flight to Joburg after attending the 6th Youth Forum convened by SAYoF and the SADC NSA Forum convened by SADC Secretariat.

Zambara answered, “greetings my brother!”
I said, “My comrade, where are you? Have you absconded the meetings and went to the village to see relatives?” I continued, “I was looking forward to seeing you after such a long time. How come you didn’t show up?”
Though we called one another often, we hadn’t seen each other for more than two years. I always followed his radio and TV interviews which were the departure points for telephone conversations that often metamorphosed to the discussion on current affairs.

Back to the call, Zambara said, “My brother! I also looked forward to seeing you and other comrades in Harare, but I am not feeling well. I am in hospital as we speak.”
Shocked, I asked, “What is wrong, Comrade?”
He said, “The doctors are doing tests and don’t know yet, but I have pain and feel weak”.
I said, “Be strong my comrade. It is probably nothing. You will be fine.”
He said, “I never felt like this. Keep me in your prayers, my brother!”
I said jokingly, “You are as healthy as a horse, nothing will befall you. You will be standing soon. I will see you in Maputo end of this month.”

I was working then together with colleagues from the SADC Organ Directorate on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation on organising a regional conference on “state of peacebuilding the SADC region”. I would, of course, think of Zambara to participate in such regional conferences, not because he is my friend, but because of his vast professional experience in peacebuilding and the work he did on Cabo Delgado (Mozambique) in relation to violent extremism.

On 19th August I sent him a WhatsApp message.
After apologising for not checking on him, I wrote “Comrade, I hope you are feeling better now. But why have you not confirmed your flight ticket?” He wrote me back, “Thank you Bro! I will do CT scan tomorrow as they complete the tests, but I have been stabilised well”.
I responded, “This is good news. All will be fine. Think positive, Comrade!”
“Thank you for the encouragement,” he ended our chat,

On Wednesday 28th August, I write to him, “Dear Brother, I hope and pray that you are back to your usual self and regained your health. We are in the conference you were invited to. We miss you!! Let me know how you are doing.”
Zambara responded, “I am going into theatre tomorrow morning. Keep me in your prayers.”
I wrote, “Good luck. Don’t worry too much, my dear brother. All will be fine. I will check on you.”
He shared his wife’s number for me to check on him. For the last time, I sent my beloved friend, his most loved symbol of peace.

Zambara and I met for the first time in Mutare, Zimbabwe, in mid-2002. As a young man, Zambara came to Mutare to support a community-based peacebuilding project we were undertaking. He facilitated several trainings and community dialogues that we carried out under the project in the provinces of Manicaland, Masvingo and Mashonaland East. So committed to the cause of peace, Zambara did his facilitation in such methodically, yet contextually fit manner. Mr Alexius Manyanda, may his soul rest in peace, and I continued to work with him and his colleague, Masawuko Maruwacha. From then on, Zambara and I remained friends.

Always eager for learning and knowledge, he was in constant search for opportunities to upgrade his qualification in the area he was so passionate about. I recommended to him to apply at the Austrian Peace Studies. He spent four months in Austria and came back with more hunger for knowledge. He then told me that he wanted to apply for a PhD at the UKZN and asked me to write him a recommendation which I happily did. He completed his PhD and did work with the University before moving to CCR and IJR in Cape Town.

Except for some months’ interruption, Zambara and I stayed connected for more than two decades. He was an invaluable resource, be it as a speaker, researcher or participant, in regional CSOs platforms and initiatives. The whole SADC CNGO team – Abie Ditlhake, Rangarirai Machemedze, Glen Farred and I, worked very well with him on initiatives aimed at advancing peace in the region and came to increasingly appreciate Zambara’s intellect, insightfulness, professional ethics and friendship. He was a decent and humble person, a committed Pan-Africanist.

The most memorable time I had spent with Zambara was when I visited him in Cape Town in 2021. His hospitality and generosity was beyond measure. He drove me around Cape Town for more than 400km along the Western Cape coast and afforded me the privilege to admire the scenery. We enjoyed ourselves whatever life has offered at every possible stop. During the 6 hour drive we discussed, conversed about politics, people and life, joking and laughing at the same time. The candid conversation deepened our friendship further.

We arrived back in Cape Town late in that evening. We expected a rebuke from Tess, Zambara’s wife, for disappearing the whole day. I quickly apologised for what we did. She kindly said, “Don’t worry, Webster told me already in the morning that he will be with you the whole day.” For the rest of that evening, we went to his favourite hangout place, a sports club where we had good dinner and drinks together with other friends. Zambara has never been alone. He was always among people who enjoyed his company. Indeed, he was a true human being, a sincere friend. I feel privileged to have been among his many friends. I will cherish his friendship for the rest of my life.

May his beloved wife, Tess, and his family find strength to endure the pain and overcome the big loss.
May your soul rest in Peace, my dearest friend!