Constantino Chiwenga Biography| Age, Education, Zimbabwe National Army, Personal Life, Politics

Age

Constantino Chiwenga was born in 1956 in the Wedza District of Mashonaland East Province in Zimbabwe.

Education

His educational journey began at St Mary’s Mission in Hwedza, where he completed his O Level studies alongside future Air Marshal Perrance Shiri and Brigadier General Shungurirai, among others. Chiwenga later earned a Ph.D. in Ethics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2015.

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Personal Life

Constantino Chiwenga has had an interesting personal life. He was first married to Jocelyn Jacobsen (née Mauchaza) in 1998, but they divorced in 2012. The couple did not have any children together. In 2011, Chiwenga married Marry (Mary) Mubaiwa, a former model. In December 2019, Chiwenga filed for divorce from Marry. In June 2022, Chiwenga got married to Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi, who is a serving member of the Zimbabwe National Army.

Rhodesian Bush War and Military Career

In 1973, Chiwenga enlisted in the war effort, undergoing training as a ZANLA fighter in Mozambique with the war name “Dominic Chinenge.” He progressed up the ranks, eventually becoming the Provincial Commander for Masvingo/Gaza Province and serving as ZANLA Deputy Political Commissar.

Following Zimbabwe’s independence in 1981, he joined the Zimbabwe National Army as a brigadier, eventually rising to the rank of Lieutenant General and being appointed as the commander of the Zimbabwe National Army. Chiwenga was subsequently promoted to the position of Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.

On December 18, 2017, the Zimbabwean government announced his retirement and redeployment in a new role, which took place on December 19th of the same year.

Political Career

Chiwenga’s political journey began when he was sworn in as co-vice president of Zimbabwe on December 28, 2017, alongside former Security Minister Kembo Mohadi. He was also appointed as the Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs on the same day.

In August 2020, Chiwenga was appointed as the Minister of Health and Child Care, succeeding Obadiah Moyo, who had been dismissed due to corruption allegations surrounding COVID-19 testing contracts.