Chronicle Editor
Sandisiwe Gumbo, Sunday News Reporter
FORMER freedom fighter and former army officer Cde Njabulo Sibhijana Mlotshwa who died on 2 December last year in the United Kingdom will be laid to rest at Mvutshwa Cemetery in Bulawayo tomorrow.
Family spokesperson, Mr Ephraim Mahlangu said Cde Mlotshwa succumbed to liver complications in the UK. He was 65 years old. Cde Mlotshwa was born on 14 March 1959 in the Gwatemba African Purchasing Area in Filabusi, Matabeleland South Province and later on, dedicated his life to fighting for Zimbabwe’s Independence and later served in the Zimbabwe National Army as an officer.
Mr Mahlangu said Cde Mlotshwa attended Bungwe Primary School in Filabusi where he did Grade One to 7. He then proceeded to Ihlathi Secondary School in Tshabalala, Bulawayo for his secondary education. After his secondary education, he briefly resided in Makokoba between 1975 and 1976. At that time he was working at Carousel Clothing Factory.
In 1976, Mlotshwa started a new chapter, joining Wenela Mines in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was during that time that he was recruited by fellow comrades to participate in the armed struggle for Zimbabwe’s liberation. He moved to Zambia via Botswana and received military training at Mlungushi in 1977, which was a ZPRA training camp for conventional forces.
He was later deployed to the front and operated in the then Sipolilo now Guruve in Mashonaland Central Province until the ceasefire period. After Zimbabwe gained Independence, Cde Mlotshwa joined the Zimbabwe National Army, rising through the ranks to the rank of Major.
He served with distinction until his retirement in 2008. Cde Mlotshwa in seeking new opportunities relocated to the UK.
Mr Mahlangu said although Cde Mlotshwa was now living far from his homeland, he remained deeply connected to his roots and continued to support his relatives and friends whenever they faced hardships.
“Apart from his commitment to the liberation struggle and his dedication to his loved ones he had a passion for music, particularly jazz, and enjoyed dancing. He loved people generally, especially his relatives and friends. Hardly, there is no relative he did not assist during bereavement or other. He united people and always was willing to help,” said Mr Mahlangu.
His body arrived in Harare yesterday and will be driven to Bulawayo today where it will be kept overnight at a local parlour before burial tomorrow.
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