adminBulawayo Bureau
CHIEF Nhlamba of Garanyemba in Gwanda District, Matabeleland South, who died on Saturday in hospital at the age of 75 has been accorded a State-assisted funeral.
Born Denis Ndlovu, he was installed Chief Nhlamba on July 16, 2010 and had served as chief for 12 years at the time of his death.
He was one of the senior traditional leaders in the province.
The chief died at United Bulawayo Hospitals in the early hours of Saturday, just a week after Chief Mabhikwa of Lupane District in Matabeleland North died in a horrific car accident.
Chief Mabhikwa was buried on Saturday.
The burial date of Chief Nhlamba is yet to be announced as consultations are underway between Government and the family.
His brother, Mr Jeffery Nhlamba, said they were devastated.
“My brother was a leader by nature and there will never be anyone like him,” he said.
“He was one of a kind. There was no such so friendly leader ever; he greeted everyone with a smile. He was just quiet, but listening to his people’s demands at the same time.
“He never had problems with his people. He acted upon people’s wishes and not his own will. We are failing to come to terms with his death. Picturing a life without him is unimaginable.”
Mr Nhlamba said he was not praising the late Chief Nhlamba because he was his brother, but he was telling the reality of his personality as a chief and a leader.
Another of Chief Nhlamba’s brothers, Mr Saul Nhlamba, said there were requests to have the burial on Saturday, but the family, Government and village elders will come up with a decision.
“His area is very big, so people are requesting that the funeral be on a weekend, specifically Saturday,” he said.
“Abantu bafuna ukuphelekezela induna yabo enhle (People want to bid farewell to their good Chief).”
Online Reporter