John Nkomo's sister dies

VICE-PRESIDENT John Nkomo's cousin sister, Mrs Alice Ncube, nee Nkomo, has died.

She was 97.

Mrs Ncube passed on at her home in Barbourfields on Tuesday last week after a long battle with diabetes and high blood pressure.

She was laid to rest at Lady Stanley Cemetery yesterday.

Her father, Mr Madima Nkomo, was the brother of VP Nkomo's father.

A family spokesperson, Mr Philip Nkomo (73), said Mrs Ncube was not involved in politics.

"She was the family matriarch, the person who kept us all together. All important issues pertaining to the family, including marriages were reported to her first. She was a fountain of wisdom that will be difficult to replace," said Mr Nkomo.

In a speech during Mrs Ncube's funeral service at the Barbourfields Seventh Day Adventist Church, VP Nkomo said the family had reason to celebrate his sister's death.

"We are not mourning but celebrating her many achievements. We are glad that she did her part. She had seen it all and has left us with the responsibility to carry on from where she left," said VP Nkomo.

Hundreds of mourners, mostly senior citizens, thronged the church to pay their last respects.

The Governor of Matabeleland South, Angeline Masuku, was among those who attended the funeral.

Mrs Ncube is survived by two children, 13 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 26 great-great-grandchildren.