Miniyothabo Baloyi
Miniyothabo Baloyi was married to Constantino Chiwenga in 2022. She became allegedly his fourth wife after he divorced Marry Mubaiwa in 2019 and Jocelyn Mauchaza in 2010.
Personal Details
Miniyothabo Baloyi was born in 1976 in Nkayi or Filabusi, Matabeleland South Province. (Sources disagree). [1] [2]
School / Education
She attended Ekusileni Mission in Filabusi and JZ Moyo High School for her secondary education.[3]
2005 to 2009 - Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chinese, Chinese Mandarin, Chinapla University of Foreign Languages. (English, French, Mandarin Chinese).
2016 to 2018 - Masters in International Relations, University of Zimbabwe.
2019 to 2022 - Doctorate in Business Leadership, Business Administration and Management, Midlands State University. [4]
Service / Career
She joined the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) after high school in 1996. Thereafter, she pursued further studies – first earning a degree in Chinese and two master’s degrees – one in business administration and a second in international relations.
Baloyi was promoted to Colonel in ZNA in 2019. [1]
She was reported “not a distinguished soldier” but was rapidly promoted to the rank of colonel, apparently helped by her relationship with Chiwenga who was the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) commander until November 2017 when he led a military coup that ousted President Robert Mugabe.
Marriage to Chiwenga
Baloyi married her long-time lover Constantino Chiwenga, the Vice President of Zimbabwe. The union was announced by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Misheck Sibanda on 15 June 2022. They had reportedly exchanged their vows during a private ceremony attended by family and a few friends on 12 June 2022.[5]
On 23 December 2023, Baloyi and Chiwenga solemnised their marriage at a ceremony held at St Gerard’s Roman Catholic Church in Borrowdale, Harare before the wedding reception at the Venue Umwinzii.
The wedding was attended by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, Vice President Kembo Mohadi, Cabinet Ministers, former First Lady Grace Mugabe, former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, senior members of the security services, senior ZANU PF officials, and several members of the diplomatic community.
Army generals from South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania and Namibia formed Chiwenga’s bridal team.[6]
Zimbabwe National Army commander Lieutenant-General Anselem Sanyatwe, retired Lieutenant-General Engelbert Rugeje, and several retired and serving army commanders were present.[7]
"Notable" absentees, included outgoing Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander General Valerio Sibanda, Air Marshall Elson Moyo and Police Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga.
Namibian retired military commander, Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, was Chiwenga’s best man. Ndaitwah (71) is a Namibian diplomat and former military commander. His wife, Nandi-Ndaitwah Netumbo, is Namibia’s Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of International Relations And Cooperation and the current SWAPO (Namibia’s ruling party) vice president.
Business Interests
Baloyi runs Kolamminnie Pvt Ltd T\A Style By Minnie which runs high-end boutiques in Harare. Style By Minnie has dressed many celebrities among them footballer Marvelous Nakamba and model Faith Candy as well as top business executives.[8]
Trivia
She speaks six languages including Mandarin, French and Zulu, among others.
Further Reading
In June 2022 it was reported that Constantino Chiwenga’s new wife, holds a PhD. Baloyi is multilingual, fluent in six languages including Mandarin, French and Zulu. She was amongst a select few who were allowed to see Chiwenga when he was in a medical facility in China in 2019. [9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Biography Of Chiwenga’s New Wife Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi, Qualifications, Career, The Rhodesia Herald, Published: 8 June 2022, Retrieved: 8 June 2022
- ↑ VP Chiwenga remarries, settles with army Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi, Nehanda Radio, Published: 7 June 2022, Retrieved: 8 June 2022
- ↑ For better or for worse: Chiwenga marries long-time soldier lover, ZimLive2, Published: 15 June 2022, Retrieved: 30 December 2023
- ↑ Miniyothabo Baloyi, Linked In, Retrieved: 8 June 2022
- ↑ For better or for worse: Chiwenga marries long-time soldier lover, ZimLive1, Published: 15 June 2022, Retrieved: 30 December 2023
- ↑ Prince Machaya, Bedroom Coup: Mnangagwa spills the beans, reveals Chiwenga cheated on Marry Mubaiwa, ZimLive, Published: 25 December 2023, Retrieved: 30 December 2023
- ↑ Owen Gagare, Hidden political intrigue of Chiwenga’s wedding, The NewsHawks, Published: 27 December 2023, Retrieved: 30 December 2023
- ↑ Winston Antonio, Insights into Chiwenga’s lavish wedding anniversary, The Independent, Published: 23 June 2023, Retrieved: 30 December 2023
- ↑ Did You Know That Chiwenga’s New Wife Col Miniyothabo Baloyi Is Also ‘Dr Amai’, ZWNews, Published: 7 June 2022, Retrieved: 8 June 2022
