Sizinda mourns screen printer
DEATH being an occurrence that has been with us since time immemorial, and indeed an occurrence that is older than old Methuselah, it would have been an occurrence that human beings are now inured to. This is however, not the case. Death is painful, sorrowful, ominous, dark, mysterious. Death brings about untold grief and pain and has always been viewed with fear, sadness, anger and surprise.
On a warm Sunday morning on 7 August 2022, residents of Sizinda in Bulawayo woke up to the devastating and shattering news of the death of Ntokozo Sibiya Tshuma who had passed on in the wee hours of Sunday at United Bulawayo Hospitals where she sadly succumbed to cancer. No sooner had the sad news been received than a dark cloud enveloped Sizinda and neighbouring Tshabalala suburb.
Born on 26 June in 1980, Ntokozo was the first daughter to Namakawu Mankaza Neta and Jeffrey Tshuma of Shaba Village in Tsholotsho. Her grandparents, Lubinda “Schoolboy” Neta and Gogo Magagula were among the pioneer residents of Sizinda Township when its doors first opened in 1962. The Netas were God -fearing old school parents who taught their children the virtues of respect, integrity and humility. They instilled a sense of discipline and high moral values in their children. These high-quality traits then transcended onto the Lubinda grandchildren, and thus such was Ntokozo, she was highly respectful to the elders and every other person in the community.
She regarded every adult person either as her parent, uncle or aunt. Her peers she treated also with equal respect and regarded them as brothers and sisters. There was never a time when one would meet Ntokozo in the streets and she would fail to greet you. She was a humble and down to earth child of Sizinda Township who could easily interact with people of all ages, a trait that is rare among the youth of today.
From the tender age of six, Ntokozo displayed an unfathomable love for art and painting. She attended Maphisa Primary School in Sizinda, and later on enrolled at Ihlathi Secondary School in Tshabalala. By now her passion for art had developed to fiery heights, and thus soon after attaining her ‘O’ Level Certificate she joined the Mzilikazi Arts Craft Centre as an apprentice Screen Printer. After qualifying as a Journeyman, she worked for Mzilikazi Arts Craft Centre as a Screen Printer. In pursuit for greener pastures, Ntokozo joined the International Screen Printers Company where she worked from 2001 up to 2008, first as a senior Screen Printer, and later on in a supervisory role.
Ntokozo is survived by her husband Jimmy Twaibu and children namely; Joyce, Nomagugu, Aisha and Ashley, and three granddaughters Naima, Kaira and Shamikar. She is also survived by her aunts, Esnath “Sidudla” Mpofu and Pelekelo (Na Eddie) Ndlovu.
A bitter blow has been dealt to the Sizinda community. Ntokozo a fine young woman of substance, a woman of valour, a woman of virtue, a woman of elegance and indeed a woman with an exceedingly remarkable character is no more. Memories of Ntokozo will forever remain etched in the hearts and minds of her family, neighbours, friends and relatives for so many years to come.
Ntokozo was laid to rest at Hyde Park Cemetery. Rest in eternal peace Ntokozo. Lala ngokuthula mzukulu. Lobala hande muzukulu.
■ Feedback: Clifford Kalibo/ Email: kaliboc@ gmail.com/ WhatsApp: 0779146957/ Phone: 0783856228 / 0719856228