Catholic women’s leader Dube laid to rest

Mrs Dube died on Monday at the age of 50 at Mater Dei Hospital after succumbing to a short illness.

 

Speakers at her funeral described her as a devout Christian who sacrificed a lot for the church.

Bulawayo Bishop Alex Thomas described Mrs Dube as an able leader who ran St Anne’s Women Association well.

“She led us well and all the people who converged here today are a sign of that,” said Bishop Thomas, referring to the thousands of people who attended the funeral service and burial.

Her vice-president Mrs Rosemary Mudenda said Mrs Dube’s death was sudden and untimely.

“We were looking forward to attending our congress with her, but she went too soon,” said Mrs Mudenda.

She said Mrs Dube was courageous and believed in hard work.

“She left a lot of good works that we should emulate. A widow herself, she loved widows as well as orphans,” said Mrs Mudenda.

Chairlady of Bulawayo diocese Mrs Teresa Nyathi said they had lost a heroine and a great leader.

“She was a good motivator and mentor, the diocese and the nation as a whole will miss her and her works,” said Mrs Nyathi.

Mrs Dube, nee Ndiweni, was born at St Joseph’s area under Chief Bidi in Matobo district, Matabeleland South.

She was the younger sister to the last Chief Bidi.

She did her primary education at Bidi Primary School in Kezi and Hobodo Primary School in Mangwe.

For her secondary education, she went to Minda, Shungu and Sizane High schools.

She then proceeded to work as a temporary teacher at Madlambudzi Primary School in Bulilima.

In 1985 she enrolled at the United College of Education (UCE) in Bulawayo to train as a teacher and graduated in 1988.

She then taught at Mhali, and Mawaba primary schools in Bulawayo, before being appointed headmistress at Zibungululu Primary School in Tsholotsho.

In the same year, she got married to the now late Mr Hillary Dube.

She also headed Sigombe Primary School.

During her career as a teacher, she attained a Bachelor of Education and a Masters Degree in Education with the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU).

Mrs Dube was the Catholic Relief Services head in Bulawayo at the time of her death.

She joined St Anne’s Catholic Women Association in 1992 at St Adolph’s in New Magwegwe where she became the chairperson of the parish committee.

She rose to the position of vice-president of the diocese, before being made the president.

Mrs Dube was promoted to be the archdiocesan vice president and later president.

She later occupied the position of national vice president and was chosen president, a position she held up to the time of her death.

Mrs Dube is survived by three children.