Bulilima senior citizen Lemu dies

BULILIMA district has been plunged into mourning following the death of a renowned agricultural extension worker and senior citizen Mr Benius Lemu Ncube.

He was 83.

Mr Ncube passed on at a private hospital on Tuesday in Bulawayo after a short illness.

Mr Ncube grew up in Ngwana village before building his homestead in Tokwana and later settled at Mzwanyana.

He was one of the first Agritex officers in the district where he was stationed at Gwambe. He was to join the Natural Resources Board at Mhlahlandlela in Bulawayo and move to Plumtree where he joined the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) till retirement.

Mr Ncube is famous for having been part of a number of people who advocated for the recognition of the Luswingo Cultural site and was a think tank of natural resources in the district.

His son, Mr Mgcini Ncube said they are saddened by the passing on of a fatherly figure in the family and society.

“We are in tears following the passing on of our father Lemu. He was a father to us as a family and also to the society that looked up to him.

“Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course but he will probably be buried on Saturday,” said Mr Ncube.

Mr Ncube is survived by his wife Imagine Moyo, three girls namely Sipho, Bokani, Niniyakhe and one boy Mgcini.

@mthabisi_mthire