Kazembe Kazembe Biography: Career, Personal Life, , Age, Awards (Update ) Full Details & Latest Info

Kazembe Kazembe Biography

Kazembe Kazembe is one of Zimbabwe’s most powerful politicians today. He serves as the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage (appointed in September 2023) and is the Member of Parliament for Mazowe West constituency. Born on 23 June 1969, he rose from extreme poverty in a small mining town to become a successful businessman, qualified engineer, and loyal member of the ruling Zanu-PF party. This biography tells his real life story in a story of hard work, education, business success, and political rise.

Kazembe Kazembe Early Life

Kazembe Kazembe was born Raymond Kazembe in Dandamera township, Concession, about 60 kilometres north of Harare. His family was very poor. They lived in a small shack in an area locals called “kuma T-section”. His father repaired watches and sewed clothes to feed the family. His mother died when he was still young.

As a little boy, Kazembe often went to bed hungry. Neighbours and elderly people in the township sometimes gave him food because they felt sorry for him. In a 2018 interview with The Herald newspaper, he said: “We were the poorest family in the area, but I always believed that one day things would change.”

When he was still a child, he became very sick with an illness that doctors could not explain. His father took him to a well-known traditional healer called Mai Rongotai. After two months of herbal treatment, he recovered fully. To thank the ancestors and honour his grandfather, the family changed his name from Raymond to Kazembe Kazembe. That is the name he has used ever since.

Kazembe Kazembe Education

Kazembe worked very hard at school because he saw education as the only way out of poverty.

Here are his main qualifications:

• Primary school at Dandamera Primary School (Concession)
• O-Level at Chipindura High School and Kundai Secondary School
• A-Level at Allan Wilson Technical High School in Harare
• Diploma in Electrical Engineering from Harare Polytechnic
• B.Tech in Marketing from Technikon South Africa
• MBA from Africa University (Mutare)
• Several professional certificates in data networking, CCTV systems, and textile spinning technology from institutions in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom

He is one of the few senior Zanu-PF politicians with both strong academic and technical qualifications.

Kazembe Kazembe Career

Before entering full-time politics, Kazembe built a successful career in business and technology.

Key steps in his career:

• 1990–1991: Science teacher at Rujeko Secondary School in Highfield
• 1994: Started a small stationery shop called REK Stationers
• 1995–1997: Worked as an electrical technician at Glendale Spinners
• 1997–2002: Rose to senior technician and manager at Safeguard Security company
• 2002–present: Founded and still owns Leabridge Technologies, a company that installs CCTV cameras, biometric systems, fire alarms, and access control systems across Zimbabwe and the region

His company has supplied equipment to banks, government offices, and private firms. The technical knowledge he gained in business later helped him when he became a minister responsible for security and technology issues.

Kazembe Kazembe Ministerial Roles

Kazembe entered parliament in 2013 after winning the Mazowe West seat. His ministerial journey includes the following positions:

• September 2018 – November 2019: Minister of Sport, Arts and Recreation
• November 2019 – August 2020: Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services
• August 2020 – September 2023: Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs (acting for some periods)
• September 2023 – present: Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage

As Minister of Home Affairs, he is in charge of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the Registrar-General’s Office (passports and national IDs), immigration, and cultural heritage sites.

Kazembe Kazembe Personal Life

Kazembe is married to Shamiso Fred. The couple has children, including a son named Phil who has done well in school and won Cambridge awards. The minister enjoys golf, watching football (he supports Dynamos), travelling, and listening to music. He often visits his home area in Concession and supports youth projects there.

Kazembe Kazembe Legacy and Future

Kazembe Kazembe is seen by supporters as a self-made man who understands both poverty and modern technology. He is known for being loyal to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and for pushing the use of new technology in police work and national registration.

His supporters believe he may continue to rise in government after the 2028 elections. Others watch to see if he can help solve problems such as police reform and faster issuing of passports and IDs.

Kazembe Kazembe Criticisms

Like many senior politicians, Kazembe has faced criticism and legal cases:

• In 2020, a High Court ordered him to pay compensation after an assault case dating back several years.
• In 2021, there were reports (later denied by his company) that Leabridge Technologies had been involved in a tender dispute worth millions of dollars.
• In 2023–2026, opposition parties and some civil society groups criticised statements he made about protests and national security.

The minister and his office have always said he follows the law and serves the country.

Conclusion

Kazembe Kazembe’s life shows that it is possible to move from a childhood of hunger and hardship to the highest levels of government through education, hard work, and determination. Whether people agree with his politics or not, his journey from a shack in Concession to the cabinet table remains an interesting Zimbabwean success story.

FAQs

What is Kazembe Kazembe’s real birth name?

He was born Raymond Kazembe, but the family changed it to Kazembe Kazembe after he recovered from a serious childhood illness.

Where was Kazembe Kazembe born?

Dandamera township, Concession, Mazowe district, Zimbabwe (23 June 1969).

Is Kazembe Kazembe a qualified engineer?

Yes, he holds a Diploma in Electrical Engineering and several technical certificates in security and textile technology.

Which ministry does he lead now?

As of 2026, he is the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage.

Is he related to Malawi?

His family has ancestral roots in Dedza, Malawi, like many families in northern Zimbabwe.

Does he own a company?

Yes, he is the founder and owner of Leabridge Technologies, a security and technology firm.

Which football team does he support?

He is a well-known Dynamos FC supporter and once served as the club’s chairman.