Tichaona Jokonya

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Dr Tichaona Jokonya (27 December 1938 – 24 June 2006) was a Zimbabwean politician, civil servant and diplomat. He started his career as a primary school teacher and became a headmaster before pursuing further studies and entering public life.

Jokonya studied while working, earning degrees in history and education and teaching in Birmingham, England, in the 1970s. He left Rhodesia during the Unilateral Declaration of Independence era and spent time in Kenya and later the United Kingdom on scholarships. After Zimbabwe achieved majority rule, he returned home to teach at the University of Zimbabwe and soon moved into government service.

He held several important posts: deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Recreation (1980), ambassador to Ethiopia and permanent representative to the Organization of African Unity (1983), Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Political Affairs (1988) and Secretary for Foreign Affairs (1990). He also served as Zimbabwe’s permanent representative to the United Nations in Geneva (1992) and later at the UN in New York (1999), remaining involved with the G-15 developing countries.

In 2003, Jokonya became chief executive of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, promoting tourism from Asia to boost the economy. After the 2005 election, he was appointed Minister of Information. He sought to engage with media outlets but was also critical of journalists who criticized the government. He announced plans to restructure Zimbabwe’s broadcasting system.

Jokonya died on 24 June 2006 in his hotel room. He had been on the United States sanctions list since 2005.