Online Reporter
Prosper Ndlovu and Gibson Mhaka, Zimpapers Writers
AN emotional send-off for veteran journalist and Sunday News Assistant Editor Mkhululi Sibanda drew mourners from across Zimbabwe’s media, political and civic spheres in Bulawayo yesterday, as speakers celebrated his distinguished career spanning nearly three decades and hailed his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the country’s national interests and liberation heritage through his writing — a contribution that earned him Government recognition as a liberation hero.
Zanu-PF Secretary-General, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, announced President Mnangagwa’s approval of the conferment of the honour in recognition of Sibanda’s journalistic prowess.
“His Excellency, the President and First Secretary of Zanu-PF, Cde ED Mnangagwa has conferred Liberation Hero Status to the late Cde Sibanda Mkhululi, who died on 3 July 2026 and will be buried in Kezi, Donkwe-Donkwe Village under Chief Nyangazonke. I shall be most grateful if you would make the usual burial arrangements and payment of benefits to his family,” he said in a letter copied to key arms of Government.
The recognition sparked celebrations among journalists across the country. Zimbabwe National Editors Forum (Zinef) national co-ordinator, Mr Njabulo Ncube, said the honour was befitting.
“The Zimbabwe National Editors’ Forum is happy that the President has acknowledged our request for Sibanda to be granted, and declared a liberation hero. We wrote to the authorities and Zinef is actually happy that he has been accorded that status.
We really appreciate and I think Sibanda is our first practicing journalist that has been given this status,” he said.
Zimbabwe union of Journalists (ZUJ) president, Mr George Maponga, also expressed gratitude on behalf of journalists and applauded President Mnangagwa for the honour bestowed on Sibanda.
“The move to honour the late Sibanda shows that the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa is walking the talk on its mantra of leaving no one and no place behind. Indeed, this honour has redefined the definition of a hero and extended the boundaries of what is a hero,” he said.
“In this case, the late Sibanda was a pacesetter and torchbearer in the media industry, especially considering that the media itself plays a very important role in nation building. The move by President Mnangagwa and his Government to honour our colleague shows that the Second Republic is prepared to break away from tradition and give recognition where it is due and in the process.”
Mr Maponga said Sibanda’s recognition would inspire other citizens to continue serving the nation with dedication.
“The media is the Fourth Estate and plays a very important part in national building and heroes like Mkhululi indeed deserve to be honoured. This is inspiring,” he said.
Following Sibanda’s death, Zinef wrote to the ruling party, Zanu-PF, outlining the late liberation hero’s distinguished career and contribution to journalism. The forum highlighted his service in various editorial positions and his reputation for quality journalism, professionalism and unwavering objectivity.
During a farewell service held in the afternoon at Nyaradzo Funeral Parlour, journalists stood shoulder to shoulder in silence, their cameras lowered, notebooks closed and voices subdued as they gathered to bid farewell to one of their own.
Senior politicians, lawyers, academics, businesspeople, sports personalities, civic leaders and ordinary residents also attended to pay their last respects before Sibanda’s body began its final journey to the Mavikaneni area of Donkwe-Donkwe in Kezi,
Matobo District, where he will be laid to rest today.
The diversity of the gathering reflected the breadth of Sibanda’s influence. Senior editors embraced young reporters he had mentored, while politicians mingled with journalists.
Lawyers exchanged memories with academics as neighbours from Bulawayo’s Nketa suburb quietly joined the procession, remembering not only the celebrated journalist but also the humble neighbour they knew. Many struggled to contain their emotions.
Through his leadership and mentorship, Sibanda nurtured numerous journalists who now occupy senior positions in newsrooms across the country, while others have gone on to make significant contributions in different sectors.
His greatest contribution, however, was the documentation and preservation of Zimbabwe’s liberation history through his acclaimed Lest We Forget column in the Sunday News. In recognition of these efforts, the Sunday News received commendation from President Mnangagwa during his keynote address at the launch of the Heritage Corridor in June 2021, where he praised the publication for documenting the country’s history and preserving its heritage.
Sibanda died at Mater Dei Hospital after a brief illness at the age of 55, bringing to an end a distinguished journalism career spanning more than three decades.
He began his career at the former Zimbabwe Inter-Africa News Agency (Ziana) before joining the Zimpapers stable in 2001 as Deputy News Editor. He later rose through the ranks to become News Editor and, in 2013, Assistant Editor of Sunday News, a position he held until his death.
Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and Matobo North legislator Edgar Moyo said he had known Sibanda long before he occupied prominent national positions.
“I knew him not simply as a journalist but as someone from our community. We regularly discussed development issues affecting our area. Even when life took us on different paths, those conversations never stopped.
“His ‘Lest We Forget’ column enriched our national heritage. It reminded us where we came from and honoured those who sacrificed for this country. We greatly appreciated that work, and it is our hope that this legacy continues because it remains relevant to Zimbabwe. This is not a legacy that belongs only to his family. It belongs to the entire nation,” he said.
Former colleague and long-time friend Mr Methuseli Moyo recalled a friendship spanning decades, dating back to the period when Sibanda worked for Ziana while he was with The Chronicle.
“He was resilient. He constantly sought knowledge and never stopped learning. His academic journey reflected someone who believed that education has no finishing line. He loved this profession deeply. He never saw journalism merely as employment. It was his calling.”
Sunday News Editor Hatred Zenenga said accepting Sibanda’s death remained difficult.
“It still feels like he is simply late for work that he will walk in at any moment asking whether breakfast is ready before we discuss the day’s stories. I last spoke to him on Tuesday (last week). It is extremely difficult to believe that conversation would be our last,” he said.
As the hearse slowly departed Nyaradzo Funeral Services, silence descended once again as journalists instinctively formed a guard of honour, their Press jackets creating a poignant sea of blue and black.
The emotion deepened as the funeral procession made its way along 9th Avenue, passing the Chronicle Building, the newsroom that had been Mkhays’ second home for much of his distinguished career.
It was there that countless stories were conceived, edited and polished under his watchful eye; where generations of young reporters sought his guidance; and where his unmistakable presence became woven into the daily rhythm of Zimbabwe’s oldest newspaper stable.
