UK – Veteran Zanu PF cadre John Takaendesa Ushe has died.
Ushe passed away on May 6 in London due to ill health.He was later entrusted with the security and caretaking role of the Zimbabwe House Embassy at The Strand in London when it officially opened in November/December 1981 under the first High Commissioner to the UK, Robert Zwinoira.
Ushe served the Zimbabwe Embassy in the UK for 44 years in his official capacity and one year as its custodian prior to the official opening, totalling 45 years of dedicated, patriotic service.
Zanu PF UK District chairman Xavier Zavare confirmed his death, saying Ushe was “arguably the longest-serving employee ever across all Zimbabwean Missions worldwide.”
“Every ambassador and government official who worked in London had their induction to Zimbabwe House and UK life from him,” Zavare said.He joined the Zanu PF London Branch in the mid-1970s and served under the then Chief Representative of the party, Ambassador Frederick Shava.
Ushe supported the liberation war against colonialism as a young man through resource mobilisation across the UK and Europe alongside Dr Simba Makoni, who was responsible for representing the party in Western Europe and worked closely with Ambassador Shava.
In 1979, Ushe served the party and the country during the Lancaster House Conference, which led to Zimbabwe attaining independence.The party’s UK branch has written to the Zanu PF leadership seeking hero status for him.
He is widely regarded as the longest-serving employee at all of Zimbabwe’s diplomatic missions, having worked at the Embassy in the
