Adam Ndlovu is a true national hero says Mpofu

FOOTBALL legend Adam Ndlovu is a true national hero because of his exploits on the soccer field and contribution to the development of football in the country, Zanu-PF politburo member, Dr Obert Mpofu, said in Bulawayo yesterday.
Dr Mpofu, who is also the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, told thousands of people who thronged the Bulawayo Amphitheatre for a moving church service to bid farewell to the late Highlanders Football Club and Warriors striker, that the time had come for the nation to move away from a scenario where a request had to be sent to Government for one to be declared a national hero but rather "let the works of that individual speak for themselves''.
Adam received a State-assisted funeral and police could be seen leading the convoy and controlling traffic while members of the Zimbabwe National Army assisted in catering.
Dr Obert Mpofu said although Adam had not been officially declared a national hero, Zimbabweans had conferred him that honour through a spontaneous outpouring of grief and the manner in which his death touched the entire nation.
Adam, who at the time of his death was the head coach at Chicken Inn Football Club, was involved in a fatal accident that also claimed the life of a female companion Ms Nomqhele Tshili and injured his young brother Peter.
"It is not Bulawayo but the whole of Zimbabwe who have declared Adam a national hero. All these people who came here have said it loud and clear that he is a true national hero.
"Honestly, this issue where heroism is asked for or requested is a big problem. Their deeds should declare them heroes, right now we know the works of this young man but we read in the papers where some people are saying things that are totally out of context which I feel is very unfortunate because Adam is a true national hero,'' said Dr Mpofu.
The minister said the onus was on Zimbabweans to mould their own heroes and not wait for a higher office to do that for them.
"As leaders we usually speak in opposition but today, because of Adam we all agree and are in unity that is why we are all here to reflect on the life of this young man,'' he said.
Zanu-PF national chairman, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo, said it was rare for an individual to unify the nation the way Adam and his brothers Peter and Madinda had.
He said it was not only Zimbabweans who were in mourning but the entire African continent.
"When I heard the news of the passing away of Adam I was in Mangaung, South Africa, where I delivered my solidarity message at the ANC's elective conference. When I finished President Jacob Zuma personally asked me to convey a message of condolence to the Ndlovu family, that is how big Adam and the Ndlovu brothers are.
"Coincidentally today the nation is commemorating Unity Day, this symbolising that we are one and we have been unified by Adam.
"I guess we have all seen that the Ndlovus are unifiers, they are not only soccer legends but soccer stars worth mentioning. We must not betray the efforts of Adam . . . the challenge now is for us to learn from this son of the soil,'' said Cde Moyo.
Bulawayo mayor Councillor Thaba Moyo said the city had not hesitated in granting the family's request of having Adam buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery as he was hero who deserved a burial of the highest accord.
He said they would also reserve a special place next to Adam's grave for the other Ndlovu brothers ' Peter and Madinda ' as they were true heroes to the region who had to rest side by side.
Also present at the service were Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart, Minister of Industry and Commerce Professor Welshman Ncube, Minister of Public Works Gabuza Joel Gabbuza, Minister of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises and Development Sithembiso Nyoni, Deputy Minister of Public Service Andrew Langa, Governors Cain Mathema, Sithokozile Mathuthu and Angeline Masuku, Zanu-PF politburo member Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, Bulawayo city councillors and various government officials.