HARARE – Zimbabwean public intellectual Dr Alex Magaisa has died after suffering a cardiac arrest this morning at Margate Hospital.
Magaisa, born December 9, 1975, was a United Kingdom based Zimbabwean academic and lecturer of law at the Kent Law School of the University of Kent.
Citizens’ Coalition for Change Europe led the condolences, saying “it is with great sadness to hear of the loss of one of the greatest Zimbabwean who lived for the betterment of democracy in Zimbabwe. A tree has fallen, what a life well lived Wamagaisa. Our heartfelt condolences to the Magaisa family and friends, thoughts and prayers to you.”
Information secretary Nick Mangwana said he was “really saddened to learn of Alex’s death. My kids went to Uni of Kent and whenever I visited my kids, Alex, Gift and I would have a meal and a drink together. We politically disagreed but it was never personal. We had many TV debates on opposing sides but remained bros. RIP Bro.”
Human rights lawyer Obey Shava said Magaisa’s death was a hard pill to swallow.
“Someone please wake me up,” he wrote on his twitter account. “The oasis of knowledge, the fountain of wisdom and the national treasure has been promoted to glory. Heaven has gained and we have lost. RIP brother.
Professor Lovemore Madhuku contends that Alex Magaisa was Zimbabwe’s newest intellectual giant and an outstanding icon of his generation.
“His clarity of thought was both refreshing and inspiring. It is shocking, devastating and painful MHDSRIP,” Madhuku tweeted.
Former Daily News editor Stanley Gama was also still trying to come to terms with the demise of Magaisa.
“Sad to learn of the passing on of pro democracy campaigner @Wamagaisa. We have lost a cadre who wanted to see Zimbabwe genuinely free from oppression. I was introduced to Magaisa by the late Morgan Tsvangirai during the GNU era. It’s a huge loss. MHDSRIEP,” Gama tweeted.
Former Zimbabwe Finance minister Tendai Biti added “We are devastated. We have no words. We are numb. We are in shock.”
Norton Independent MP Temba Mliswa believes the political adviser and law lecturer was not celebrated enough in Zimbabwe.
“Painful news. Magaisa was a great legal mind, sober and never aggressive despite what you threw at him. Anga ane hunhu. In a better country he would have been the Attorney General. He was a cut above the rest,” Mliswa said.
One Liam Takura Kanhenga took to twitter to say “the creator has chosen to take this good soul away from us. Rest in power Doctor Alex Magaisa.”
Magaisa served as the Advisor (Chief of Staff) of the then Prime Minister of Zimbabwe Morgan Tsvangirai from 2012-2013.
Prior to becoming Advisor to the Prime Minister, Magaisa had been working as a core member of a team of experts tasked to advise on the drafting of the new Constitution of Zimbabwe.He is known for his legal, political and social commentary work on issues affecting Zimbabwe and other developing nations through his blog The Big Saturday Read.
