Vusumuzi Dube
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
IF the phrase “catch them young” is anything to go by in terms of political orientation, then Sinenhlanhla Brightness Sibanda (8) fondly known as Cde Sne from Emakhandeni suburb in Bulawayo has indeed exhibited the true meaning of the phrase.
She recently wowed multitudes of Zanu-PF supporters at the Cowdray Park star rally with her flawless recitation of the party slogans signing off with her clear knowledge of party structures from where she is a member.
Abandoned by her mother three months after birth, Cde Sne has been taken care of by her grandmother ever since who she said was a gift she was proud of and does not want to let go no matter the circumstances.
Without a birth certificate, she has managed to attend lessons at a local school after they pleaded with school officials and has always produced exceptional results.
“She is always in the top three of her class,” said Ms Sinqobile Sibanda, a sister to Cde Sne’s mother.
Cde Sne is slowly becoming an internet sensation after her signature line, “mina engime phambili kwenu ngingu Cde Sne, waseBulawayo Province, Area Three, Emakhandeni-Luveve Constituency phansi kuka baba uBrian Samuriwo uMP wethu ku Ward 11, cell five, thank you.”
Ms Sinqobile explained how they took custody of Cde Sne and how they had assumed the role of mother to the young girl and her brother.
“Sne’s mother came with her and her older brother from South Africa where they were staying in 2015 towards the end of the year. She was young, three months old by then while her brother was three years old. The mother took off saying she is going to work for the children and she simply vanished and never came home. This is how we started to look after the children,” said Ms Sinqobile.
Ms Sinqobile said her mother, Mrs Tresia Sibanda, has been caring for Cde Sne together with her other sister Anele. Their father, Mr George Sibanda who has since passed on was also a provider for Sne and her brother while he was still alive.
He made sure the children attended school by paying school fees. Cde Sne does not only know how to recite long and wordy salutations but is a sharp student in class.
“She is an intelligent child doing very well in her schooling. However, the school is quite a distance from home and she walks there with her brother. We help them cross the major road and they finish off alone to Luveve where they learn,” said Ms Sinqobile.
Asked how Cde Sne mastered salutations made at political rallies and events, she said they were a Zanu-PF family and she grew up seeing it done.
“Sne learnt these salutations from home, we hold many meetings here (at home) as our mother is the vice-chairperson for Makhosi District.
We also attended many events with her since she was a young child so, over time, she mastered what she would hear and now does it with ease. One day she said she was eager to also speak before people at the meetings. We then tried it at a 2K4ED event in Cowdray Park and she made a slogan for the youths,” said Ms Sinqobile.
After this exposure, she was called to the star rally in Cowdray Park where she did the same and wowed the crowd who in turn reciprocated her gesture by giving her tokens in the form of money. The pint-sized Sne said she wanted to be a police officer when she grows up.
Cde Sne’s mother returned to Zimbabwe in 2021 when their father passed away.
“She came with our father’s body from South Africa after he passed on and she quickly returned with the vehicle from the funeral parlour and we never really got a chance to speak to her about why she abandoned the children.
She has not returned since then. She does not call or send any provisions. She dumped the children with us and does not care about them, however, she does not know that she left us with a blessing in the form of Sne.
“If she calls and we raise the children’s issue kuba ngumsindo (there is misunderstanding) and after that her number then goes unreachable and the next communication will be with a different number after a long time.
As it is, we last heard from her in 2021. One time she told ubaba that he could send the children to a home if he was struggling to take care of them,” she added.
Ms Sinqobile said they have since been promised assistance to acquire birth certificates for the children following the involvement of Government officials who saw Cde Sne performing at a recent rally in Cowdray Park.
However, she said they were fortunate enough that they have Sne’s mother’s identity particulars and hoped it would enable them to secure birth certificates with adequate details. The Sibanda family said they were eager to have Sne and her brother acquire an education.
“All we ask for is that Sne and her brother get assistance to pay school fees, that’s the biggest thing we want. Education will open gates for them. We would like to get help to get them school supplies like books, stationery, and uniforms,” she said.
She said Sne was a witty character who had shown leadership qualities at home and at school.
“She is a very clever girl, she is always giving suggestions, ideas, and direction. We are proud of her and the effort she makes at her age.
On consultation days we only hear good things about her at school. We are filling the motherly gap that these kids have and we tell them to forgive their mother, and continue to love her and hope for her return and reunion with her kids,” the Sibanda sisters.
Affectionately known at her school as uSne omfitshane, Cde Sne, is the real description of the adage, dynamite comes in small packages. @NyembeziMu
Online Reporter