By Munacho Gwamanda-Former Finance Minister and Zanu PF Politburo member Simba Makoni has dismissed reports of his death as baseless social media speculation.
Social media was flooded yesterday with claims that the former Southern African Development Community (SADC) Executive Secretary had passed away, causing widespread confusion.
Speaking from his farm in Headlands, Makoni laughed off the rumours and assured the public that he was in good health.
“As you can tell, I am very much alive. The key message is that you have called me and spoken to me. I do not know where that rumour started, but I am now living in the rural areas, and I am very healthy,” he said.
Former Harare mayor Muchadeyi Masunda also confirmed Makoni was alive, stating that he had personally reached out to verify the claims.
“I had to telephone and speak to Dr. Makoni himself. I am pleased to confirm that he is alive and well. As it turns out, the‘Simba Makoni’ who passed away is the younger brother of Steve ‘Dhongi’ Makoni, the musician known for hits such as Sabhuku Nedhongi, Zvachonyana, and Chakafukidza Dzimba Matenga,” Masunda said.
Makoni’s political career dates back to 1980 when, at just 30 years old, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Agriculture by the late President Robert Mugabe.
He quickly rose through the ranks, later holding key Cabinet positions, including Minister of Industry and Economic Development, where he played a pivotal role in shaping Zimbabwe’s economic policies.
From 1983 to 1993, Makoni served as the Executive Secretary of SADC, becoming one of Zimbabwe’s most prominent figures in regional economic diplomacy.
His tenure was marked by efforts to foster economic cooperation and integration among member states.
After returning to Zimbabwe, he continued to hold influential government and business roles.
In 2000, he was appointed Finance Minister, a position he held until 2002.
During his tenure, he openly clashed with Mugabe and senior Zanu PF officials over economic policies, particularly his opposition to excessive state borrowing and Zimbabwe’s controversial land reform programme, which he warned would fuel inflation.
Makoni’s political trajectory took a dramatic turn in 2004 when he was allegedly encouraged by the late retired General Solomon Mujuru to challenge Mugabe at the Zanu PF elective congress ahead of the 2005 presidential elections.
Positioned as a reformist alternative within the party, Makoni initially gained support from Mujuru’s faction. However, he was later abandoned by his backers, who feared reprisals from Mugabe’s loyalists, leaving him politically isolated.
2008 he launched the Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn (MKD) movement, advocating for economic reforms and democratic governance.
He partnered with former Education Minister and academic Fay Chung, who played a key role in shaping the party’spolicies.
Makoni ran in the 2008 presidential election, securing a small percentage of the vote that ultimately divided the opposition in the first round, trailing far behind Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
MKD struggled to gain significant traction despite its initial promise due to internal divisions and limited grassroots support.
Over the years, Makoni gradually withdrew from the political spotlight, shifting his focus to private business and farming. Though he occasionally publicly appears, speculation about his political ambitions has persisted. However, he remains on the periphery of Zimbabwe’s political landscape.