adminProsper Ndlovu Deputy News Editor
ZIMBABWE’s former Ambassador to Angola, Ethiopia and Djibouti and Chief of Mbembesi in Umguza District, Dr Neville Mkatshana Ndondo Hadebe has died.He was 75.
Dr Ndondo, who also served as the country’s ambassador to India, Nepal and Bangladesh, succumbed to kidney failure at Bulawayo’s Mater-Dei Hospital yesterday morning, his family confirmed.
“He died today at 5AM. He has been in and out of hospital battling chronic renal failure since March this year and was admitted to Mater Dei a week ago,” his son Selby told Chronicle.
Dr Ndondo, known for his passion for education and development, was born on February, 2, 1939 to Cronje and Elsie Ndondo in Inyathi area.
He did his primary education at Gutu Mission before going to Matopo High School for his secondary education.
Dr Ndondo then enrolled for his first degree at Prague School of Economics in the then Czechoslovakia where he also attained a Master of Science Degree in Economics in 1968.
He then attained a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Economics in 1976 at the University of Cologne in West Germany.
Dr Ndondo had a brief stint at Bayer Pharmaceuticals in Leverkusen, West Germany, where he worked before joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs between 1980 and 1989.
He was then deployed to Angola as ambassador between 1989 and 1993.
The following year Dr Ndondo became Zimbabwean top envoy to India, Nepal and Bangladesh for a period of four years.
Between 1999 and 2004 he was deployed as Ambassador to Ethiopia and Djibouti.
During that time Dr Ndondo also served as Zimbabwe’s Permanent Representative to the Organisation of African Unity (AU).
He retired from government and became Chief of Mbembesi in 2008 to the time of his death.
Matabeleland North provincial administrator Latiso Dlamini said government was shocked by Ndondo’s death.
“We are saddened by the deaths of chiefs in Matabeleland North. It looks like every three months we bury a chief. It started with Chief Nkalakatha in Nkayi early this year and followed by Chief Mvuthu in Hwange and now it’s Chief Ndondo in Umguza,” said Dlamini.
“Chiefs are the custodians of tradition and culture and we work with them well. We are shocked by Ndondo’s departure and it’s painful. He has left a void and we don’t know where to start given that it takes a long time to install another chief.”
Dr Ndondo is survived by wife Stella Ndzoni and two children, Selby and Zodwa.
Burial arrangements will be announced in due course. Mourners are gathered at House Number 14960 Impala Road, Selbourne Park, Bulawayo.
Online Reporter