Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube [email protected]
HIGHLANDERS FC patron, Jimmy Ncube who died at United Bulawayo Hospitals on Tuesday night will be buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery this morning.
He was 90.
His daughter, Sikhanyiso Shiri and Highlanders club president Dumisani Sandi confirmed the news.
Sandi said as the Highlanders family they were devastated with the loss. He said what makes it more painful is that the death comes on the heels of five other losses in recent weeks.
Ncube’s death comes after five others in the last month at Highlanders.
Chairman Kenneth Mhlophe, his deputy Fiso Siziba and Nkani Khoza who was the board member responsible for finance died in a car accident in Insiza while driving from Kariba. In the same vehicle was club card carrying member Mbalenhle Sibanda.
Just last week, the club was back in mourning following the death of Sihlalisiwe Mnkandla who was club finance officer.
“What is happening is uBaba is going to be buried tomorrow (Friday). We are respecting family wishes. We are actually following what they want done,” said Sandi who worked with Ncube in the
Highlanders board since 1989 and remains a respected figure at the club with lots of institutional memory.
His funeral service will be at the Selborne Park Adventist Church this morning followed by burial at Lady Stanley.
Ncube had a chequered history with Highlanders, serving as a board member and board secretary for over two decades until his elevation to patron to replace Taffi Moyo who died about a decade ago.
In his time as a board member he saw Highlanders win seven league titles, Chibuku (3), Castle Cup (2), Zifa Cup, Rothmans Shield, Unity Cup, BP League Cup and several others.
Sikhanyiso said her father was born on June 11, 1936 and attended schools in Bulawayo, Gweru and Solusi.
In his younger days he joined Bulawayo City Council where he worked in the housing, amenities and community services department where he rose to the position of deputy director.
After years of supporting Highlanders at the age of 43, he was appointed a member of the Highlanders board in which he worked with several chairpersons who include Vic Naik, Themba Ndlela, Isaac Mlilo, Kennedy Ndebele, Peter Dube, Johnfat Sibanda, the late Ndumiso Gumede, James Mangwana-Tshuma, Ernest Sibanda and Malcom King.
Among some board members he served with is Thomas Ngwenya, Titus Mbongendlu, Jonathan Moyo, Cornelius Nyangana, Judge Nicholas Mathonsi, William Makhubalo, Njini Moyo, Cosmas Sikhosana, Matthew Sibindi, Elkanah Dube and Sam Bhele Bango.
He left behind widow Sithiyiwe and two children Sikhanyiso and Melusi.
