Chronicle Editor
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
PROMINENT Hwange businessman, Sebastian Kwidini, who was assaulted by a mentally disturbed person a month ago has succumbed to the injuries.
Kwidini (64) was left for dead after being attacked by a known mental patient in his shop in Change Village early January.
He was later transferred to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo for specialist care but his condition deteriorated leading to his death on Sunday night.
His son, Mr Ishmael Bakani Kwidini, confirmed the development saying his father had been recovering under family care and they had hoped he will be strong again.
“My father was attacked while in his butchery by a mental illness patient on 9 January. He suffered head trauma as a result of the attack and was rushed to the Colliery Hospital before being referred to a neurosurgeon in Bulawayo,” he said.
A week later, his father was discharged.
Ishmael said the family tried all efforts to assist him to recover his memory after he suffered amnesia.
“However, his condition worsened on Friday before we took him to the Colliery Hospital. He was referred back to the neurosurgeon in Bulawayo at UBH. His condition worsened leading to his passing on Sunday evening,” said Ishmael.
The late Kwidini who was popularly known as ‘Bob Marley’ because of his love for the legendary Jamaican musician’s lyrics was born in 1960 in the Lukosi area of Hwange as the last in a family of 12 children.
He worked for several companies such as Hwange Colliery Company and Delta amongst others before joining the Kwidini family business where he ran a successful butchery business that was supplying major supermakerts in Hwange District. The Kwidini family are known as the godfathers of Hwange business after establishing the first indigenous business empire.
Joseph Bale Kwidini who was known as Ndundu, established his first business empire in the mid-1950s after getting a contract to supply firewood to then Wankie Colliery compounds following his purchase of a Bedford truck together with his brother, Choga. He would expand to Livingstone, Zambia supplying firewood and later ventured into retail business, setting up shops in Milonga, Jambezi, Lukosi and other areas mostly rural. The Kwidini family business boasts of trucking, shops and retail supermarkets amongst other things.
When the late Sebastian took over part of the family business he started running the butchery business, which had continued to expand.
Friends and relatives described Sebastian as a sociable and friendly family man who loved his community.
“He got along very well with people. He was also an astute businessman whose meat business was popular for its quality and service.
“One would not talk about meat without mentioning Sebastian’s name. He supplied big companies with meat and had built a successful clientele that included the community where his heart was,” said Mr Ananias Banda.
Another relative, Mr Joseph Chipembere said Kwidini’s death was a blow to the family and community because of his notable contribution.
“He was a peaceful man who shunned violence. He was a teacher on respect and was known in the community as a peace builder. His death is a huge blow to us as family and the whole community,” he said.
The late businessman is survived by his wife, six children and 10 grandchildren. He is set to be buried at the family cemetery in Lukosi on Thursday.
Online Reporter