Taking Cue From Obama, Tsvangirai Writes Memoirs

In the book titled “Tsvangirai at the Deep End” the premier tells about his journey through trade union into politics and family life.

He tells of how he befriended Richard Matekenya in 1974 who was to be influential in the decision he took to take up a career as a miner.

Matekenya was responsible for drawing Tsvangirai to a newspaper advert in the Rhodesian Herald placed by Anglo American’s Bindura Nickel Mine looking for a variety of trainees in mining operations.

This was to be a turning point in young Tsvangirai’s life. He applied for the trainee programme and was initially selected among the first 700 out of an initial 2000 applicants. Bindura Nickel Mine however just wanted 14 out of the 700 finalists and Tsvangirai was one of the lucky ones. Unfortunately his friend Matekenya did not make it.

Tsvangirai who was helped by his former personal assistant and now MDC Director of Information, William Bango to put the book together also chronicles the history of the country as he witnessed. He describes the release from detention of liberation leaders Joshua Nkomo, Reverand Ndabaningi Sithole, Edgar Tekere and President Robert Mugabe.

He also recalls the abortive August 1975 talks which were held under the auspices John Vorster and Kenneth Kaunda.

Tsvangirai writes his book with a lot of nostalgia. He recollects his arrival in a thriving Bindura town which was a buzz with mining operations and intensive farming operations. He says the many white farmers who were unmistakenly  dressed in khaki shirts, farmer shoes and shorts exuded a businesslike atmosphere in the town, a far cry from what it is now.

The book which will be available in book shops around the world as from October 1 is published by penguin books.

It can best be described as reflecting Tsvangirai in conversation with himself.