The Herald
16 September 2015
ZANU-PF Politburo member Cde Sikhanyiso “Duke” Ndlovu, who died yesterday morning, has been described as a dedicated liberation icon, educationist and a champion for development.
Cde Ndlovu (78), died at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo after an asthma attack and subsequent stroke last week. Former Midlands governor and zanu-pf Politburo member Cde Cephas Msipa said: “It’s a very sad thing that has happened.
“Sikhanyiso was a dedicated cadre for many years. From the beginning of the liberation struggle, he never looked back. He had his hand on the plough all the time.” Cde Msipa, a one-time zapu secretary general, worked with Cde Ndlovu closely before and after independence, leading to the unification of the two liberation movements in 1987.
“He was also a dedicated and loyal member of the party who loved his country. Education was in his heart so much that during the struggle, he was in charge of our education office. He was in charge of securing scholarships for our students in various universities. Sikhanyiso was a very dedicated man who spent his life working for the people.”
Cde Joshua Malinga, the zanu-pf secretary for the disabled in the Politburo, added: “The death of Cde Ndlovu is a major loss. He was one of the outstanding struggle icons, a developer and educationist.
“A lot of people have developed from him. We’ll miss him and his ideas of advancing education and development in the country. He was a fearless and vocal person who articulated the principles he believed in without fear or favour and a good representative of the people he stood for.”
Cde Malinga said the former Cabinet minister and Mpopoma MP was a “seasoned politician who went through the mill and through all levels of the liberation movement — from cell, politburo, detention to prison and also represented zapu very well in America and everywhere else he was deployed.”
Another Politburo member Cde Absolom Sikhosana described Cde Ndlovu as a revolutionary icon with an impeccable liberation history.
“He belonged to that crop of leaders who treasured the ideals of the liberation struggle and never lost focus. The contribution he made to the liberation of this country is very humbling and because of that we’re very devastated by his death,” said Cde Sikhosana.
Professor Jonathan Moyo, the zanu-pf secretary for science and technology in the Politburo, described Cde Ndlovu as a “balancing force” for his role in keeping extremists at bay following post-independence conflict between the liberation movements which culminated in the signing of the Unity Accord in 1987.
“It’s so sad that Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu has passed on,” Prof Moyo said. “He was a true hero and balancing force who was a fountain of wisdom.”
Former education minister David Coltart said: “I’m sorry to hear of his passing. Although we differed in politics, he had a passion for education.”
Home Affairs Minister and zanu-pf secretary for administration Cde Ignatius Chombo, who was in Bulawayo last Thursday, visited Cde Ndlovu in hospital accompanied by Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo.
Before his visit, Cde Chombo said Cde Ndlovu was a decorated freedom fighter whose contribution in pre and post-independence Zimbabwe would always be treasured.
Cde Chombo said Cde Ndlovu played an instrumental role in the signing of the 1987 Unity Accord between pf-zapu and Zanu and always preached unity for Zimbabweans.
zanu-pf Bulawayo acting provincial spokesperson Cde Dennis Ndlovu said the country has been robbed of a revolutionary stalwart whose good works pre and post-independence cannot be questioned.
“We’ve lost a great man in the province. The country has lost a hard worker who empowered many people especially through education. Many people were educated in his colleges,” he said.
Mpopoma Pelandaba legislator Cde Joseph Tshuma said the constituency, once held by Cde Ndlovu before the 2000 elections, was in deep mourning following Cde Ndlovu’s death.
“He was a very generous man who took a leading role in developing the constituency and securing scholarships for students in the area. He also sponsored a number of students from his personal funds,” said Cde Tshuma.
“He spearheaded transport development in the area with the Mpopoma Development Trust by bringing commuter omnibuses for the constituents and also boosted computer literacy by setting up information centres in Mpopoma and Entumbane.”
Cde Tshuma, who was mentored by Cde Ndlovu, said he benefited immensely from the former minister’s guidance.
“I will greatly miss him. I’m like an orphan now but I will always work hard to fulfil his dream of having development in the constituency,” he said.
The MDC led by Professor Welshman Ncube said it learnt with great sadness of the death of Cde Ndlovu.