The Movement for Democratic Change has paid tribute to William Bango, a veteran journalist who became MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s spokesman in 2002 and authored his biography.
Bango died yesterday after a car accident near Dema growth point in Seke.
He worked for the national news agency, the Zimbabwe Inter-Africa News Agency (Ziana) and the Daily News before joining Tsvangirai’s office.
Bango wrote Tsvangirai’s biography, At The Deep End.
Full statement:
Wednesday, 26 February 2014
Former MDC Presidential spokesperson William Bango dies in car crash
William Tagwirei Bango, a veteran journalist and former spokesperson to MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai, died in a car crash late yesterday afternoon near Dema growth point in Seke.
He was taken to Chitungwiza General Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Bango joined the office of the MDC President in 2002 as the Presidential spokesperson until 2008, when he was reassigned to head the policy unit. An award winning veteran journalist and former president of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists, Bango is a true national hero who will be sorely missed in the journalism fraternity and in the party.
President Morgan Tsvangirai last night went to pay his condolences to the Bango family at their home in Marlborough. President Tsvangirai said Bango had served the nation and the party with distinction, competence and unstinting loyalty.
Bango wrote President Tsvangirai’s biography, At The Deep End, a personal story of the MDC President highlighting his trials and tribulations in pursuit of freedom and democracy in Zimbabwe. He was committed to serving this nation and was prepared to pay any price for true freedom and democracy to reign in the country.
In 2007, Bango was viciously assaulted at Machipisa Police Station together with President Tsvangirai and other political and civic leaders after the disruption of a prayer meeting. He suffered permanent injuries inflicted while inside a police station in a supposedly free country he had helped to liberate.
Popularly known by his totem of “Nungu”, Bango left an indelible national mark on three fronts; as a hero of the liberation struggle, a one-time national leader of the journalism fraternity and as a hero of the post-liberation struggle for real change and democracy.
Bango is survived by his wife, Charity, a councilor in Harare, four children and several grandchildren.
Mourners are gathered at the Bango residence at 48 Adyllin Road, Marlborough and funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
Luke Tamborinyoka
Presidential Spokesperson
Movement for Democratic change
Harvest House, Harare
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