Tributes for Sikhanyiso Ndlovu

ZANU-PF Politburo member Sikhanyiso Duke Ndlovu, who died yesterday morning, has been described as a dedicated liberation icon, educationist and a champion for development. Ndlovu, 78, died at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo after an asthma attack and subsequent stroke last week.

Former Midlands governor and Zanu-PF Politburo member Cephas Msipa said: "It's a very sad thing that has happened. "Sikhanyiso was a dedicated cadre for many years. From the beginning of the liberation struggle, he never looked back. He had his hand on the plough all the time."

Msipa, a one-time Zapu secretary general, worked with Ndlovu closely before and after independence leading to the unification of the two liberation movements in 1987.

"He was also a dedicated and loyal member of the party who loved his country. Education was in his heart so much that during the struggle, he was in charge of our education office.

"He was in charge of securing scholarships for our students in various universities. Sikhanyiso was a very dedicated man who spent his life working for the people."

Joshua Malinga, the Zanu-PF secretary for the disabled in the Politburo, added: "The death of Ndlovu is a major loss. He was one of the outstanding struggle icons, a developer and educationist.

"A lot of people have developed from him. We'll miss him and his ideas of advancing education and development in the country. He was a fearless and vocal person who articulated the principles he believed in without fear or favour and a good representative of the people he stood for."

Malinga said the former Cabinet minister and Mpopoma MP was a "seasoned politician who went through the mill and through all levels of the liberation movement - from cell, politburo, detention to prison and also represented Zapu very well in America and everywhere else he was deployed."

Another Politburo member Absolom Sikhosana described Ndlovu as a revolutionary icon with an impeccable liberation history.

"He belonged to that crop of leaders who treasured the ideals of the liberation struggle and never lost focus. The contribution he made to the liberation of this country is very humbling and because of that we're very devastated by his death," said Sikhosana.

Professor Jonathan Moyo, the Zanu-PF secretary for science and technology in the Politburo, described Ndlovu as a "balancing force" for his role in keeping extremists at bay following post-independence conflict between the liberation movements which culminated in the signing of the Unity Accord in 1987.

"It's so sad that Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu has passed on," Prof Moyo said. "He was a true hero and balancing force who was a fountain of wisdom."

Former education minister David Coltart said: "I'm sorry to hear of his passing. Although we differed in politics, he had a passion for education."

Home Affairs Minister and Zanu-PF secretary for administration Ignatius Chombo, who was in Bulawayo last Thursday, visited Ndlovu in hospital accompanied by Provincial Affairs Minister Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo.

Before his visit, Chombo said Ndlovu was a decorated freedom fighter whose contribution in pre and post-independence Zimbabwe would always be treasured.

Chombo said Ndlovu played an instrumental role in the signing of the 1987 Unity Accord between PF-Zapu and Zanu and always preached unity for Zimbabweans.

Zanu-PF Bulawayo acting provincial spokesperson Dennis Ndlovu said the country has been robbed of a revolutionary stalwart whose good works pre and post-independence cannot be questioned.

"We've lost a great man in the province. The country has lost a hard worker who empowered many people especially through education. Many people were educated in his colleges," he said.

Mpopoma Pelandaba legislator Joseph Tshuma said the constituency, once held by Ndlovu before the 2000 elections, was in deep mourning following Ndlovu's death.

"He was a very generous man who took a leading role in developing the constituency and securing scholarships for students in the area. He also sponsored a number of students from his personal funds," said Tshuma.

"He spearheaded transport development in the area with the Mpopoma Development Trust by bringing commuter omnibuses for the constituents and also boosted computer literacy by setting up information centres in Mpopoma and Entumbane."

Tshuma, who was mentored by Ndlovu, said he benefitted immensely from the former minister's guidance.

"I will greatly miss him. I'm like an orphan now but I will always work hard to fulfil his dream of having development in the constituency," he said.

The MDC led by Professor Welshman Ncube said it learnt with great sadness of the death of Ndlovu.

"While he may have stood on the opposite side of the fence as us politically, he was a remarkable man, a real gentleman and a brilliant educationist who will always be remembered by many," said MDC spokesperson Kurauone Chiwayi.

"His pioneering work, especially in the field of education, will go a long way in benefitting the future generations. He was a liberation icon whose role in the liberation struggle will always be valued," said Chiwayi.

Highlanders Football Club CEO Ndumiso Gumede said Ndlovu had been a supporter of the team from long back before he went to exile during the liberation struggle. Ndlovu, he added, was a regular at Highlanders matches.

Gumede, who was also neighbours with Ndlovu in Sunninghill suburb, said: "On his return, he made his presence felt and was always ready to help when we wanted to open that which our little fingers couldn't. We're saddened by his death, we've lost a father figure, a patriot and benefactor."