Dr. Hazel Barbara Mubako, née Christie, known by the pet name Peggy, was born in the Rosetta district of St. D’Acre, located in the Dry Harbor Mountains of St. Ann, Jamaica, West Indies, and is daughter of Caroline née Gooden and David Christie. In her early years she attended Charlton Primary School on Alexandria St. Ann, and then joined the first group of girls at Holmwood Technical High School in 1961. At Holmwood she was a sports enthusiast and won several medals. in athletics. Hazel was an avid reader, gardener, and she enjoyed sewing and cooking, much of which her mother taught her.
She emigrated to England in 1966 and studied as a registered nurse at the Dreadnought Seamens Hospital. She met her husband, Ambassador Simbi Mubako, in 1968 while he was studying law at the London School of Economics, and they were married in 1970.
The following year, she emigrated to Zambia to join her husband, who became a law professor at the University of Zambia. Hazel registered for a science degree and graduated with honors. In 1976 the couple moved to the University of Southampton, England, where Hazel would study medicine while her husband taught law at the same university. At that time she was the mother of three children. Despite her family responsibilities, she managed to obtain her medical degree in record time.
In 1980, the couple moved to Zimbabwe, where her husband was appointed a cabinet minister by President Robert Mugabe when the country achieved its independence, and served as a minister for ten years in a number of different positions, including Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Minister of the Interior. Affairs. He also served as a Superior Court judge. Dr. Simbi Mubako was appointed Ambassador of Zimbabwe to the United States by President Robert Mugabe in 1999. The Mubakos then moved temporarily to the United States in 1999 and Dr. Hazel was a medical examiner for the United Nations, as she served with her husband for his five years. mandate as ambassador.
She dedicated her last years to fighting AIDS and worked in the Crisis Center with HIV patients, women in crisis and rape victims. Dr. Hazel is well known as “Mother and Doctor” by many.
Dr. Hazel Barbara Mubako lost her battle with breast cancer on May 27, 2013 at Westend Hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe. She was 65 years old. Dr. Hazel was buried in Zimbabwe’s Glen Forest National Park. His funeral was well represented by the Vice President and several government ministers, members of the United Nations, colleagues from the medical fraternity, several of his former patients, members of the Zimbabwe African National Union Patriot Front (ZANU-PF), family and several friends. Messages of support also poured in from many other institutions, including the local West Indian community; Ambassadors and staff of the Embassies of Zimbabwe in Russia, Sweden, South Sudan and Belgium; vice chancellor and law school, Midlands State University; and Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA).
She is survived by her husband, Professor of Justice Dr. Simbi Mubako, three sons Takawira, Pfumo, Pepukai and one daughter Revai, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, other relatives and friends. Dr. Hazel Mubako, an African born in Jamaica, like so many others, established a link with the continent from which her ancestors came, leaving an indelible mark. Better put in the words of Acting Vice President Joyce Mujuru, “The country shared the grievance with the Mubako family as Dr. Hazel Mubako contributed immensely to the development of the medical sector in the country.” We honor her memory and the importance of representing a bond, image and positive thoughts of Africa by Jamaica, the Greater Caribbean and the world.