Gwakuba Ndlovu's remains exhumed ahead of Harare reburial

The remains of nationalist, historian and veteran journalist Saul Gwakuba Ndlovu were exhumed from Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo on Wednesday ahead of his reburial at the National Heroes Acre in Harare on Thursday, following his recent conferment of national hero status.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa posthumously declared Gwakuba Ndlovu a national hero ahead of the 2026 Heroes Day commemorations, recognising his contribution to Zimbabwe's liberation struggle, journalism and preservation of the country's history. He died in July 2021.

Family members described the exhumation as an emotional but proud moment, saying the recognition had brought closure and honoured a lifetime of dedicated service to the nation.

His widow, Mrs Caroline Gwakuba Ndlovu, expressed gratitude to the Government and President Mnangagwa for recognising her husband's contribution.

"We are deeply grateful to the nation and to our President for the steps that have been taken to honour my husband. On behalf of the family and the people of Matabeleland, we sincerely thank the Government for recognising our comrade and taking him to the National Heroes Acre," she said.

Mrs Gwakuba Ndlovu noted that while the family had hoped for such recognition when he died in 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic had affected circumstances at the time.

His daughter, Ms Chipo Gwakuba Ndlovu, said the honour was a source of pride for both the family and the people of Matabeleland, describing her father as one of the pioneers of the former Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) alongside the late Vice President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo.

ZANU PF Politburo member and Bulawayo Senator Molly Mpofu said the province welcomed the decision to honour Gwakuba Ndlovu.

"As a Politburo member representing Bulawayo Province, I can confidently say the province is delighted and grateful to President Mnangagwa for this honour bestowed upon Gwakuba," she said.

She added that the family intended to engage the Bulawayo City Council and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to preserve his original gravesite at Lady Stanley Cemetery as a family heritage site.

Gwakuba Ndlovu is among four liberation stalwarts whose remains will be reinterred at the National Heroes Acre ahead of this year's Heroes Day commemorations.

The others are Brigadier-General Gibbs Kachana, whose remains are being exhumed from Mutikani Village in Shindi District; Herbert Zaba Sambo, buried in the Moshowani area of Madziva District; and Prof Sheunesu Mpepereki, whose remains will be exhumed from Warren Hills Cemetery in Harare.

Born on September 23, 1934, at Dombodema Mission in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South Province, Gwakuba Ndlovu played a significant role in Zimbabwe's liberation struggle. Between 1964 and 1978, he served as ZAPU's Director of Publicity and Information and later represented the movement diplomatically from Algeria, covering several African and European countries.

Following independence, he pursued a distinguished journalism career, joining The Chronicle as a senior editorial staff member before later working for Munn Publishing Company and Lonrho Zimbabwe. In 1988, he relocated to Eswatini, where he served at The Swazi Observer.

Gwakuba Ndlovu died on July 16, 2021, at the United Bulawayo Hospitals after succumbing to a heart ailment. His reburial at the National Heroes Acre will formally recognise his enduring contribution to Zimbabwe's liberation, journalism and historical scholarship.