via Activist Thomas Deve Dies | Three Men On a Boat
Death is at our door again following the passing away of activist Thomas Deve.
Deve passed away between 6.30am and 7am this morning
The news was confirmed by Terrence Chitambo, who we always saw with the late Deve. He told us that Deve, who we saw at the Transit Crew show at Book Cafe last night got home at around 2am this morning.
“Everything was normal and he went to bed as usual. At six it was noticed that he was having trouble breathing. First aid was attempted on him while his sisters tried to call the ambulance. When paramedics arrived, it was too late and they said it was cardiac arrest”, Chitambo told 3mob.com.
Asked whether Deve had been unwell, Chitambo said that although he did once in a while complain about heart issues, he had not been taking any medication for it.
Zimbabwe now mourns the passing of a giant, a visionary, pan-Africanist and thinker in Zimbabwe’s human rights and arts circles. He fought a good fight based on his principles and even though people may have differed with him on some views, they always respected him. He was always available for a conversation and many will attest to that. Always willing to listen he shared his wealth of knowledge with any who were willing to engage with it.
Deve worked for Southern Africa Political and Economic Monthly, the Zimbabwe Mirror, The Express and the Daily News. He also served as the chair for the Zimbabwe chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA). He also was employed by the United Nations Millennium Campaign as the Southern Africa regional coordinator.
He is survived by three daughters and a son.
Mourners are gathered at Number 7982 Cheetah Road, Zimre Park in Ruwa.
COMMENTS
Sad loss Thomas was pillar of strength, must be declared a national hero. I cant think of another Zimbabwean PanAfricanist of his callibre. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
I am deeply saddened by the news about the passing of Pan Africanist, Thomas Deve. I met Mr. Deve in Harare when I was Resident Director of Syracuse University in Zimbabwe in the mid 1990s. He was an occasional presenter for our Program. His dynamism and vision for Africa were impressive. We became friends. I will miss him and, Zimbabwe has lost an influential figure in the arena of civics. My deepest condolences to his family and, RIP mwana wevu. You fought a good fight!
I thought the Herald said he leaves behind a wife Bernadette and 4 children. Different reporting might insinuate he had no wife and this might bring mental anguish to an already grieving widow. Let us also consider the remaining ones. R.I.P Thomas. What a fine gentleman
Excellent post. I am facing some of these issues as well..