Cain Mathema

Cain Ginyilitshe Ndabazekhaya Mathema (born 25 January 1947) is a Zimbabwean politician and writer. He has held various cabinet roles in the Zimbabwean government. He is a member of Zanu-PF. He was born in Sipepa, Tsholotsho District.

Cain Mathema
Minister Cain Mathema, August 2015
Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage
In office
7 September 2018 – 9 November 2019
PresidentEmmerson Mnangagwa
Preceded byObert Mpofu
Succeeded byKazembe Kazembe
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education
In office
9 November 2019 – 30 September 2021
Preceded byPaul Mavima
Succeeded byEvelyn Ndlovu
Personal details
Born (1947-01-25) 25 January 1947
Southern Rhodesia Sipepa, Tsholotsho District
NationalityZimbabwean
Political partyZANU-PF

Political career

Cain Mathema joined the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) in 1968.

Soon after independence, Cain Mathema worked as a senior civil servant in the government of Zimbabwe. He later contested for political office and has since served as a governor and cabinet minister.

In Robert Mugabe's government, Mathema served as:

  • Deputy Minister of Rural Resources and Water Development - 1997 [1]
  • Ambassador to Zambia
  • Governor for Bulawayo - February 2004 - September 2013[2]
  • Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Matebeleland North - September 2013 - October 2017[3][4]
  • Minister of War Veteran - October 2017 - November 2017[5]

In Emmerson Mnangagwa's government, Mathema has served as:

  • Minister of State for Matabeleland North - December 2017 - September 2018[6][7]
  • Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage - September 2018 - November 2019[7]
  • Minister of Primary and Secondary Education - November 2019 – 30 September 2021

Since 2005, he has been placed on the United States sanctions list.[8]

In late February 2008, he was present at rally supporting ZANU-PF candidate Sikhanyiso Ndlovu's bid for the Pelandaba-Mpopoma constituency seat.[9]

On 6 November 2018, he promised to crush anti-government demonstrations which he alleges were being planned by Nelson Chamisa.

Personal life

Cain Mathema is a published Ndebele and English poet, playwright, short story writer and cartoonist. He has published over 20 books on all sorts of topics. His books are published by different publishing houses which include but are not limited to, Mambo Press, Longman Press, Mathema Publishers, College Press and the University of Zimbabwe amongst others. His works have been used in local universities and beyond.

In December 2016, Cain who was then Matebeleland North Provincial Governor, married 23-year-old Bathabetsoe Nare who was 47 years his junior.[10]

References
  1. "President Mugabe reshuffles cabinet". BBC. 26 July 1997.
  2. "Zimbabwe: Ten new ministers, two governors sworn in". BBC Monitoring Africa. Factiva. 10 February 2004.
  3. "Zimbabwe Cabinet Announcement". The Herald. Zimbabwe Situation. 10 September 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  4. newsday (10 October 2017). "Mugabe in shock Cabinet reshuffle". NewsDay Zimbabwe. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  5. "Zimbabwe's Mugabe reshuffles cabinet - Xinhua | English.news.cn". www.xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  6. "Mnangagwa names Zimbabwe's new cabinet". IOL News. 1 December 2017. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  7. Mudzingwa, Tobias (7 September 2018). "Zimbabwe: President Announces Cabinet". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  8. Issuance of new Zimbabwe Executive Order; Zimbabwe designations and designations updates.
  9. ZANU-Pf Candidates campaign Archived 26 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine (Accessed 25 February 2008)
  10. Chibhamu, Anna (23 December 2016). "Zimbabwe: Minister Mathema Weds 23 Year Old Lover". New Zimbabwe.
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