Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira
Zimpapers Sports Hub
BULAWAYO will tomorrow honour the life of one of its most beloved football sons, Brian “BB” Banda, with a burial at the revered Lady Stanley Cemetery, a resting place reserved for the city’s most distinguished figures.
Banda, 29, died in a tragic car accident on Saturday along the Zvishavane–Bulawayo Road. He was a passenger in a Proton Bakeries-owned Toyota Corolla Bubble that overturned near the Fred Mine turn-off after the driver tried to overtake at a blind spot and swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle. Banda and another passenger died on the spot.
His death has plunged Zimbabwean football into mourning, with the former Highlanders and national team midfielder remembered for his elegance, discipline, and leadership on the pitch.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Khawulani Fox Dube confirmed the burial plans.
“There will be a service at the Amphitheatre on Thursday morning which should start at around 8am before we lay him to rest at Lady Stanley,” said Dube.
Lady Stanley Cemetery is the final resting place for some of Bulawayo’s greatest sporting heroes, including Adam Ndlovu, Willard Mashinkila-Khumalo, Tymon Mabaleka, Ernest “Maphepha” Sibanda, Rahman Gumbo and Barry Daka. Burial there is reserved for individuals who made exceptional contributions to the community in fields like sports, civic leadership, business, religion, journalism, or philanthropy.
Banda’s inclusion among these legends underlines the magnitude of his impact, not only as a footballer but as a young man who inspired many.
Born and raised in Entumbane, Banda was the only boy in a family of four siblings. He leaves behind three children: two daughters, Bandile Primrose Banda and Langelihle Banda and a two-week-old son affectionately nicknamed Juns. Banda had hoped to name the boy once he had met him.
His passing is all the more painful considering he was on the road to recovery from injury. Just a day before the accident, Banda had been in Zvishavane, watching his former team FC Platinum hold defending champions Simba Bhora to a 1–1 draw at Mandava Stadium.
Banda’s story ends far too soon, but his legacy, built on flair, humility, and unshakable commitment, will live on through those he inspired on and off the pitch.
