News / National
King Lobengula's granddaughter dies
11 Jul 2016 at 02:00hrs | Views
ONE of the few remaining direct descendants of the last Ndebele monarch, King Lobengula, Princess Simoli Khumalo, has died.
She was 87.
She succumbed to a chronic liver ailment at Mpilo Central Hospital on Saturday. Princess Simoli Khumalo was the eldest daughter of Prince Rhodes Khumalo, son to Prince Njube Khumalo who was one of Lobengula's sons. Her father, Rhodes is one of the founders of Highlanders Football Club and was the team's first captain.
Princess Simoli Khumalo was one of Prince Rhodes's two surviving children. Family spokesperson Prince Zwide KaLanga Khumalo confirmed his sister's death. "My sister passed away on Saturday around 3AM at Mpilo Hospital where she was admitted on Friday.
"Doctors say she was battling a chronic liver ailment," said Prince Khumalo. He said the family has lost a great pillar of strength and fountain of knowledge. "The family is in pain after losing such an elderly figure. Her death is a loss because it means we have lost umthombo we siko lethu (oasis of our culture/heritage)
"She was of great value to the family. She was imparting family values from the ancestors from one generation to another," said Prince Zwide. He described his sister as a loving, ever smiling woman with welcoming words and hugs which they would all miss.
He said the presence of such wise elders benefited young people. Prince Zwide said funeral arrangements would be announced in due course but she is likely to be buried at her home in Esigodini.
Princess Simoli Khumalo was born on May 2, 1929, koNkosikazi in Siganda area where Queen Lozikeyi is buried. She grew up in Mlomoliwoto area in Esigodini where she later got married to Ben Siyaphi Sibanda and the couple was blessed with seven children.
Prince Zwide said Princess Simoli Khumalo is survived by seven children, 27 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Mourners are gathered at house number 1832 Cowdray Park in Bulawayo.
She was 87.
She succumbed to a chronic liver ailment at Mpilo Central Hospital on Saturday. Princess Simoli Khumalo was the eldest daughter of Prince Rhodes Khumalo, son to Prince Njube Khumalo who was one of Lobengula's sons. Her father, Rhodes is one of the founders of Highlanders Football Club and was the team's first captain.
Princess Simoli Khumalo was one of Prince Rhodes's two surviving children. Family spokesperson Prince Zwide KaLanga Khumalo confirmed his sister's death. "My sister passed away on Saturday around 3AM at Mpilo Hospital where she was admitted on Friday.
"She was of great value to the family. She was imparting family values from the ancestors from one generation to another," said Prince Zwide. He described his sister as a loving, ever smiling woman with welcoming words and hugs which they would all miss.
He said the presence of such wise elders benefited young people. Prince Zwide said funeral arrangements would be announced in due course but she is likely to be buried at her home in Esigodini.
Princess Simoli Khumalo was born on May 2, 1929, koNkosikazi in Siganda area where Queen Lozikeyi is buried. She grew up in Mlomoliwoto area in Esigodini where she later got married to Ben Siyaphi Sibanda and the couple was blessed with seven children.
Prince Zwide said Princess Simoli Khumalo is survived by seven children, 27 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Mourners are gathered at house number 1832 Cowdray Park in Bulawayo.
Source - chronicle
