News / Local
Gogo Sidile dies at 84
23 Dec 2011 at 16:58hrs | Views
THE widow of the first black director of the Bulawayo City Council's Department of Housing and Community Services and long-serving Highlanders Football Club executive member, Mtshena Loyola Sidile, Gogo Lillian Leta Sidile, has died at 84.
Her daughter Ms Mercy Sidile and nephew Bekithemba Leta who visited Chronicle offices yesterday said Gogo Sidile succumbed to heart complications on Wednesday at St Anne's Hospital in Harare where she had been admitted.
Ms Sidile, herself a former diplomat and company executive, said her mother had endured a heart problem for many years and had been in and out of hospital in the past six months until she moved to Harare two months ago for specialist treatment.
"She died yesterday at St Anne's Hospital due to heart complications. She has been in and out of hospital and two months ago she went to my elder sister who is in Harare so that she gets special medical attention," said Ms Sidile.
She said the death of her mother was a sad loss to the family.
"She was a very loving, strong and dedicated woman. I say so because soon after we were born, our father left the country to further his studies in South Africa and the United States of America and she raised us on her own," said Ms Sidile.
"My father was very sick for a number of years before his death and she nursed him on her own without complaining to anyone. It is a great loss to lose her. When our father died it was painful but we knew we had umthunzi (a shade) and we would go home to her. A home is not only bricks and mortar but the spirit in it. Umama ubengumthunzi and khathesi sesizintandane."
She said their parents had taught them that despite being educated outside the country, one had to be disciplined and respectful, the values they still hold on to today.
Gogo Sidile was a retired teacher.
She was born in Gwatemba, Insiza, in Matabeleland South on 10 October 1927. She attended Matopo Mission before training as a teacher at Mtshabezi Mission where she met the late Sidile.
They got married at the Brethren in Christ Church, a church at which she worshipped until her death.
For most of her career she was teaching at Masuku Government Primary School in Tshabalala before moving to Moray Primary School in Famona.
Mourners are gathered at the family house, Number 13 Southway Road, Burnside.
Gogo Sidile's body is expected in Bulawayo today where it will lie in state at home before burial tomorrow at a cemetery to be advised.
She is survived by six children, 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Her daughter Ms Mercy Sidile and nephew Bekithemba Leta who visited Chronicle offices yesterday said Gogo Sidile succumbed to heart complications on Wednesday at St Anne's Hospital in Harare where she had been admitted.
Ms Sidile, herself a former diplomat and company executive, said her mother had endured a heart problem for many years and had been in and out of hospital in the past six months until she moved to Harare two months ago for specialist treatment.
"She died yesterday at St Anne's Hospital due to heart complications. She has been in and out of hospital and two months ago she went to my elder sister who is in Harare so that she gets special medical attention," said Ms Sidile.
She said the death of her mother was a sad loss to the family.
"She was a very loving, strong and dedicated woman. I say so because soon after we were born, our father left the country to further his studies in South Africa and the United States of America and she raised us on her own," said Ms Sidile.
"My father was very sick for a number of years before his death and she nursed him on her own without complaining to anyone. It is a great loss to lose her. When our father died it was painful but we knew we had umthunzi (a shade) and we would go home to her. A home is not only bricks and mortar but the spirit in it. Umama ubengumthunzi and khathesi sesizintandane."
She said their parents had taught them that despite being educated outside the country, one had to be disciplined and respectful, the values they still hold on to today.
Gogo Sidile was a retired teacher.
She was born in Gwatemba, Insiza, in Matabeleland South on 10 October 1927. She attended Matopo Mission before training as a teacher at Mtshabezi Mission where she met the late Sidile.
They got married at the Brethren in Christ Church, a church at which she worshipped until her death.
For most of her career she was teaching at Masuku Government Primary School in Tshabalala before moving to Moray Primary School in Famona.
Mourners are gathered at the family house, Number 13 Southway Road, Burnside.
Gogo Sidile's body is expected in Bulawayo today where it will lie in state at home before burial tomorrow at a cemetery to be advised.
She is survived by six children, 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Source - Chronicle
