The remains of former information minister and senior Zanu PF official, Dr. Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, who died in Bulawayo Tuesday after a major stroke, have been flown to Harare ahead of his burial at the national heroes’ acre Saturday.
The 78-year old educationist’s friend, former Zanu PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo, who has known him since the1960’s, applauds the status accorded to the late liberation fighter saying heroes do not come any better.
Ndlovu was declared a national hero by the Zanu PF politburo, the party’s supreme decision-making body Wednesday.
“We are happy because it is so befitting for a trailblazer like him,” said Gumbo.
“He was a resolute man when it came to matters of the country’s independence. He was not corrupt and was a trailblazer when it came to education. He introduced distance education in the country soon after independence and the benefits are there for all to see.”
Gumbo continued: “Everyone in Zanu PF knows that Ndlovu was a unifier. He did not problems but unity. When we started our political careers I was with Zanu and he was with Zapu and we all came from Mberengwa but we go along like a house on fire because the goal was the same, Zimbabwe’s independence. I will miss him sorely… an educationist par excellence.”
Gumbo said Ndlovu never waivered when it came to dealing with issues affecting the country or the liberation struggler back then, adding: “For years I have differed with colleagues who remain in Zanu PF over some of the people who have been interred at the national shrine as heroes, but when it comes to Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, there’s no debate at all because these are the real heroes of this country. We are mourning today with his family.”
Ndlovu will be buried Saturday at the national heroes’ acre with President Robert Mugabe expected to officiate.
He is survived by his wife, Rose, three children and seven grandchildren.