The Blooming Rose: A tribute to Rose Sibusisiwe MATUTU 1.03.53 to 3.12.07

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.