Dr. Hazel Barbara Mubako, née Christie, known by the pet name Peggy, was born in the Rosetta District, 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 Elementary School on Alexandria St. Ann, and then joined the first cohort of girls at Holmwood Technical High School in 1961. At Holmwood she was a keen 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 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 immigrated 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 he served as a minister for ten years holding various different posts, including Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Minister of the Interior. Affairs. He also served as a High 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 United Nations Medical Examiner, as she served with her husband during their five years. mandate as ambassador.
She dedicated her last years to fighting AIDS and worked at the Crisis Center with patients affected by HIV, women in crisis and rape victims. Dr. Hazel is well known as “Mother and Doctor” to 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 in the medical fraternity, several of his former patients, members of the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU-PF) Patriot Front, 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 Zimbabwean Embassies 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, Justice Professor Dr. Simbi Mubako, three sons Takawira, Pfumo, Pepukai and a 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. It is best said 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 the representation of a bond, an image and positive thoughts of Africa by Jamaica, the Greater Caribbean and the world.