The Blooming Rose

About the Book

The Blooming Rose is a remarkable story of a Zimbabwean Christian woman, Rose Sibusisiwe Matutu. Rose grew up under the care and mentorship of her great grandmother while her mother was involved in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, and never knew her father. She later got married to a former junior schoolmate, Bryan, who had earlier appreciated her strengths which were underlined by humility and diligence among other virtues. While mainly focusing on her virtues, which according to the writer, could not have been achieved by human effort but by Devine input, the book also looks at the relationship that Rose had with her husband, her children, Bryan’s extended family, church and workmates as well as strangers. It also touches on the incredible premonitions that the author and his family had ahead of Rose’s departure. Rose passed away on 3 December 2007 following a road traffic accident after thirty years of marriage, leaving behind a husband and four children. The impact of her personality and subsequently her departure has inspired Bryan to write the story of his dear departed Rose, the Blooming Rose. While all other natural roses adorn our vases, they fade away and are forgotten, unlike this Rose which is in perpetual bloom. God is looking after that Rose.

About the Author

Bryan was born in 1952 at Zvishavane, Zimbabwe, where he did formal education between 1959 and 1971. He started his working career in a tyre manufacturing factory before joining the banking world in 1975 and retiring in 2006. Bryan was baptized into the Church of Christ in 1970, but only became a practicing Christian in 1988. Married to Rose Sibusisiwe in 1977, they had two boys and two girls. The passing on of Rose on 3 December 2007 inspired Bryan to tell and celebrate a remarkable life. Bryan is an elder at Avondale Church of Christ. His exposure and qualifications in banking, and as an elder, has equipped him to write this book. He prays that all those who read this book be blessed by the Almighty.