Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
HIGHLANDERS’ devotee Lister Dube, who passed away in the Nathisa area of Matobo District, exemplified how supporting Highlanders is more than just fandom — it is a way of life.
She was 68.
On her deathbed, Dube expressed a final wish: that Bosso be informed once she drew her last breath. Her bond with the club was so profound that everything around her seemed to reflect the team’s iconic black and white colours.
Her home, located just 40 metres from the road leading to Kezi from Bulawayo near Nathisa Business Centre, has long been a spectacle for passers-by. Whether Highlanders won or lost, the team’s flag was always seen flying proudly on a post at the gate.
Two faces of the wall flanking the gate bore bold Highlanders logos in black and white, catching the eye from a distance.
According to her cousin, Agnes Siziba,
Dube passed away on Tuesday morning after a long battle with spinal and back issues, which had left her reliant on crutches. She had recently consulted a doctor who recommended surgery to improve her condition.
Tragically, she passed on, leaving behind her beloved Bosso in a state of near turmoil and 17 children she had cared for without a shepherd.
Dube moved to Bulawayo at the age of 15 and began supporting Highlanders in the early 1970s, when the team rose to prominence after winning the 1973 Chibuku Trophy — its first major national tournament — just months after being promoted to the then Rhodesia National Football League Division One.
A second consecutive regional league title and a national league play-off triumph in 1974 saw many fans rally behind the team, forming a deep and lasting bond.
Her passion intensified when her neighbours Madinda and Adam Ndlovu gained prominence, alongside other Makokoba locals such as Netsai Moyo and Tanny Banda.
She lived at Kusile Flats, the same block where the footballing siblings Madinda, Eveline, Marko, Peter, and the late Adam Ndlovu hailed from.
“She said that when she dies, she wants people at her favourite club, Highlanders, to be informed. She loved Highlanders — it meant everything to her. We often saw Highlanders supporters visiting her and taking photos in front of the gate.
“She was a warm-hearted person who especially loved children. They held a special place in her heart, and over the years, there were always more than a dozen living with her.
At the time of her passing, 17 children were staying with her. She paid their school fees and looked after their welfare.
“Lister was a hardworking woman who cultivated the land, growing maize and groundnuts to support her ‘children’. Some of those she raised have since moved abroad, including to the UK,” said Agnes.
Her uncle, Major Moyo, described Lister as an organised and exemplary woman. Beyond her unwavering support for Bosso, she was a respected member of the community, always leading by example. The community, he said, is still reeling from the loss and uncertain about how to continue the support she provided to the children.
Dube once worked as an agent for the Chronicle and Sunday News, selling products from the leading media house.
Bulawayo Zimpapers Operations Manager, Prosper Dube, said:
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Ma’am Lister Dube. For over a decade, she was more than just an agent to Zimpapers — she was a trusted partner who consistently delivered.
She always remitted funds on time, offered thoughtful suggestions to improve our products, and opened doors to new business opportunities.
“What I’ll remember most is how she would call early at month-end just to double-check the figures and ensure everything was accurate. She had a calm, respectful manner that made work easier and made clients feel valued.
“Her integrity, reliability, and initiative set the standard for how we aspire to work.
“Her influence is evident in our growth, and her legacy will live on in how we serve our clients and each other.
“We are grateful for the time we shared with her and the example she set. I am certain I speak for everyone in the company when I say this is an enormous loss.
May her family accept our heartfelt condolences.”
Funeral arrangements will be confirmed once one of her children, Sikhululekile, arrives. Sikhululekile is expected today.
