Retired Brigadier General Levi Mayihlome Biography | Age and Background, Education, Role in the Second Chimurenga, Career in the ZNA, Political Career
This is the biography of Retired Brigadier General Levi Mayihlome a Zimbabwean politician and member of the ZANU-PF party. He currently serves as the Deputy Minister of Defence and is a member of the Parliament of Zimbabwe.
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Age and Background
Levi Mayihlome was born on November 4, 1953, in Bonjeni, a village located in the Umzingwane District, which was part of the Umzinyathini communal lands at the time.
Education
Mayihlome began his education at Bonjeni Primary School before transferring to Mzinyathi Mission, where he completed his primary education through Standard 6. In 1967, he moved on to Mzingwane High School for secondary education but had to leave in his third year due to financial difficulties.
He later pursued higher education and earned several academic qualifications, including a Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Economics from the University of Zimbabwe and a Master of Science in International Resource Planning and Management from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, USA.
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Role in the Second Chimurenga
During Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, commonly referred to as the Second Chimurenga, Mayihlome adopted the pseudonym Lizwe Ndebele. He received intelligence training in the Soviet Union and was actively involved in the liberation movement.
After leaving his rural home in Umzingwane to seek employment in Bulawayo, Mayihlome joined the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU) and became engaged in political activities, especially in resisting colonial racism. His activism led to his imprisonment, but upon release, he continued his involvement with the ZAPU underground. Working alongside Misheck Velaphi Ncube, Mayihlome helped recruit young people for guerrilla training.
In 1977, as the political environment grew more hostile, he crossed into Botswana and later joined the armed struggle in Zambia. At Nampundwe Transit Camp, his leadership skills were recognized, leading to his involvement with the intelligence arm of the liberation movement, led by Dumiso Dabengwa. Mayihlome was trained as an intelligence officer in the Soviet Union, focusing on border security and intelligence gathering.
After completing his training, Mayihlome became the commander of Border Guards, responsible for overseeing the security of Zimbabwe’s borders.
Career in the Zimbabwe National Army
Before his retirement, Levi Mayihlome held the position of Financial Director in the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA).
Political Career
In the 23-24 August 2023 elections, Mayihlome was elected as the Member of Parliament for the Umzingwane constituency. Following the elections, President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced his new cabinet on 11 September 2023, with Mayihlome appointed as the Deputy Minister of Defence, Security, and War Veterans, serving under Minister Oppah Kashiri.
