News / Press Release
Freedom fighter Lazarus Ray Ncube mourned
08 May 2019 at 11:09hrs | Views
Lazarus Ray Ncube who also worked for the United Nations Peace Keeping Mission for 32 years, has been unwell for a long period, but his untimely passing has left a big scar on us.
During his visit to India for treatment we always kept in touch, with constant updates on his health. The last time I spoke to him, he assured me that he was responding well to treatment. Surely, death has robbed us of a principled and cultured man.
I came to know Lazarus Ray Ncube sometime in 2008, after the harmonised elections when he was part of Kusile Mavambo Dawn with the likes of Dr Dumiso Dabengwa and others. I was introduced to him by his war friend, Zakhele Ndebele who is also an ex ZIPRA freedom fighter, and from that moment we became very close until the time of talks of revival of ZAPU. Qhubekani Dube, Zakhele Ndebele, myself and other ZPRA cadres joined hands with Lazarus Ray Ncube and others and started having regular meetings on the revival of ZAPU, a project that eventually became a reality.
We worked with Colonel Ray Ncube as a formidable team, until he was elected as the Bulawayo Province Chairman, while we served in the Zapu youth Front.
After the factional disturbances that led to the suspension of Colonel Ray from his position as the Bulawayo Provincial chairman, and myself from the leadership of the Youth Front, we agreed with other cadres to form the Friends of ZAPU. In the leadership of this group was Colonel Ray, Zakhele Ndebele, Sthabiso Masina, Petros Sibanda, Mbonisi Gumbo and myself. This idea was influenced by the advice of my friend and then lawyer Sindiso Shepherd Mazibisa. Ray and myself had to play a pivotal advisory role in that initiative.
It was then that Friends of Zapu was registered as a Trust through the help of Sindiso Shepherd Mazibisa as our legal advisor.
Colonel Ray, is credited for giving us a thumbs up and advice on the formation of Mthwakazi Republic Party. He was an accommodating man whose advice transcended party political affiliation.
It is very unfortunate that such a gallant freedom fighter has not been recognized by the tribal ZANU PF government, while decorations have been bestowed to questionable and undeserving Zanla elements. If Colonel Ray Ncube was of Shona ethnicity, he would be one of the Brigadiers or army generals.
To the Ncube family, friends and relatives we express our sincere heartfelt condolences and we are with you in our thoughts as we mourn our gallant son of the soil.
We say may your dear soul rest in peace baba Ncube , we will always remember you.
Cde Lazarus Ray Ncube had long retired from active politics to concentrate on his health.
For peace and justice in our Lifetime.
Sisonke Sibambene SinguMthwakazi Sizakulungisa.
During his visit to India for treatment we always kept in touch, with constant updates on his health. The last time I spoke to him, he assured me that he was responding well to treatment. Surely, death has robbed us of a principled and cultured man.
I came to know Lazarus Ray Ncube sometime in 2008, after the harmonised elections when he was part of Kusile Mavambo Dawn with the likes of Dr Dumiso Dabengwa and others. I was introduced to him by his war friend, Zakhele Ndebele who is also an ex ZIPRA freedom fighter, and from that moment we became very close until the time of talks of revival of ZAPU. Qhubekani Dube, Zakhele Ndebele, myself and other ZPRA cadres joined hands with Lazarus Ray Ncube and others and started having regular meetings on the revival of ZAPU, a project that eventually became a reality.
We worked with Colonel Ray Ncube as a formidable team, until he was elected as the Bulawayo Province Chairman, while we served in the Zapu youth Front.
After the factional disturbances that led to the suspension of Colonel Ray from his position as the Bulawayo Provincial chairman, and myself from the leadership of the Youth Front, we agreed with other cadres to form the Friends of ZAPU. In the leadership of this group was Colonel Ray, Zakhele Ndebele, Sthabiso Masina, Petros Sibanda, Mbonisi Gumbo and myself. This idea was influenced by the advice of my friend and then lawyer Sindiso Shepherd Mazibisa. Ray and myself had to play a pivotal advisory role in that initiative.
It was then that Friends of Zapu was registered as a Trust through the help of Sindiso Shepherd Mazibisa as our legal advisor.
Colonel Ray, is credited for giving us a thumbs up and advice on the formation of Mthwakazi Republic Party. He was an accommodating man whose advice transcended party political affiliation.
It is very unfortunate that such a gallant freedom fighter has not been recognized by the tribal ZANU PF government, while decorations have been bestowed to questionable and undeserving Zanla elements. If Colonel Ray Ncube was of Shona ethnicity, he would be one of the Brigadiers or army generals.
To the Ncube family, friends and relatives we express our sincere heartfelt condolences and we are with you in our thoughts as we mourn our gallant son of the soil.
We say may your dear soul rest in peace baba Ncube , we will always remember you.
Cde Lazarus Ray Ncube had long retired from active politics to concentrate on his health.
For peace and justice in our Lifetime.
Sisonke Sibambene SinguMthwakazi Sizakulungisa.
Source - Mqondisi Moyo
