HERO STATUS FOR NDLOVU
THE late veteran nationalist Cde Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu has been declared a national hero and is expected to be buried at the National Heroes’ Acre in Harare on Saturday.
A former Zanu-PF Politburo member and Deputy Senate president, Cde Ndlovu (86) passed away in Bulawayo on Monday after a long battle with prostate cancer.
Politburo member Cde Joshua Malinga yesterday told mourners gathered at the late nationalist’s Luveve suburb home that President Mugabe had declared him a national hero.
“I have a short message from the President to tell you that ubaba uNK Ndlovu has been declared a national hero and would be laid to rest on Saturday. We all know him, imisebenzi yakhe siyayazi. He was one of the few people who were very close to the President. We would all go to him to seek advice, he was a fountain of knowledge,” said Cde Malinga.
He appealed to the people of Bulawayo to travel to Harare in their numbers for the national hero’s send-off.
Cde Malinga, said he was disappointed that Cde Ndlovu had died before the documentation of his historical knowledge and experiences.
“Let’s learn to write a book, as it is ubaba has left with his knowledge, he had a rich history of our country as well as experiences and sadly it’s not documented,” said Cde Malinga.
“As Bulawayo and the nation we are pained by the departure of Cde Ndlovu. To the Ndlovu family, we are with you , the nation is with you in mourning the veteran leader.”
The Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs, Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo said Cde Ndlovu’s death had closed the chapter on Zapu founding fathers as he was the last surviving among them.
“We were with him in Zambia. He was a father figure to us, he always had a diplomatic way of handling issues or reprimanding us the juniors,” said Cde Moyo.
“Presently there is no one left ku Zapu among the founding fathers and leaders, it’s only those that followed in the footsteps of the veteran leaders like obaba uNkomo, Silundika and Chinamano that are still surviving. From that team we have closed the page following the death of Cde Ndlovu. That’s how important his role was.”
Family spokesperson and brother to the late Cde Ndlovu, Vulindlela thanked the Government for according his sibling the hero status.
Present during the announcement of Cde Ndlovu’s hero status were Politburo member, Cde Absalom Sikhosana, Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial chairman Cde Dennis Ndlovu who is also a former Mayor of Bulawayo, Bulawayo provincial secretary for security Cde George Mlala, Bulawayo provincial deputy chair Cde Simon Khabo.
Zanu-PF legislators, Cdes Killian Sibanda, Joseph Tshuma and Maidei Mpala and former mayor Alderman Abednico Nyathi were also among the mourners.
Bulawayo Acting Mayor and Njube councillor Lillian