Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu,, [email protected]
THE death of Bulawayo-based ICT expert and Chronicle columnist Robert Ndlovu has left a void in Zimbabwe’s technology sector, with friends, colleagues and family remembering him as a visionary who dedicated his life to connecting communities and opening opportunities for young people.
Ndlovu (56) died on Monday at Thorngrove Hospital after a long illness, leaving behind a legacy built around technology, digital inclusion and his unwavering belief that ICTs could transform lives.
For those who knew him, his contribution went far beyond his professional career spanning telecommunications, internet connectivity, cybersecurity, wireless networking and other areas of technology.
He was particularly passionate about expanding connectivity to underserved communities and exposing young people to coding, robotics, Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies.
Mrs Lucia Dube, who met Ndlovu in 2021 after being referred to him for online telephone services, said their relationship grew into a close bond as they shared ideas about using technology to improve lives.
“Mr Ndlovu was an exceptional person who campaigned for the past 10 years for Starlink to be available in Zimbabwe. He was writing articles to the authorities, convincing them about the benefits of this facility,” she said.
“Today we have Wi-Fi in rural areas ngenxa kaNdlovu, and digital learning has reached hard-to-reach schools.”
Mrs Dube said Ndlovu remained determined despite his health challenges.
“We have lost a gentle giant of the IT industry in Zimbabwe. He was an inspiration to many people nationwide,” she said.
Former Chronicle Senior Sports Reporter Ricky Zililo, who affectionately called him “Uncle Rob”, said Ndlovu was driven by a desire to bridge the digital divide.
“Uncle Rob was not just a good man, he was someone who genuinely wanted to make a difference,” he said.
Zililo said Ndlovu sought partnerships and resources to bring internet connectivity to remote communities so that children could access information, education and opportunities.
“He was excited by the idea of bridging the digital divide and bringing people who had been left behind into the global village,” he said.
His influence also extended to those he mentored. Zililo said Ndlovu encouraged him to embrace emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, long before it became mainstream.
For Mr Willard Shoko, a Starlink research and high-speed internet consultant, Ndlovu was a passionate innovator and tireless advocate for Bulawayo’s technological development.
“He believed deeply in the power of technology to transform lives and create opportunities for young people. He was not merely a technology user; he was an advocate, a mentor and someone who actively worked to ensure that the benefits of new technologies reached the wider community,” said Mr Shoko.
Ndlovu’s vision extended beyond individual connectivity. He advocated for a Starlink ground station and modern data centres in Bulawayo, believing such investments could position the city as a technology and connectivity hub.
“He believed that Bulawayo could, and should, play a greater role in Zimbabwe’s digital future,” said Mr Shoko.
His passion for young people was also evident through initiatives at Mzilikazi Primary School, where he served as School Development Committee chairperson and supported efforts to expose pupils to robotics and Artificial Intelligence.
Ms Victoria Nxumalo, founding director of Girls in STEM, said his death would leave a gap in efforts to promote technology among young people in Bulawayo.
“He was an enthusiastic advocate for technology and digital inclusion of our youth koBulawayo,” she said.
At home, Ndlovu is remembered as a loving, kind and jovial family man.
Family spokesperson Mr Thamsanqa Ndlovu said: “We are saddened as a family to have lost one of our brothers, Robert Ndlovu, who was loving and kind. Forever jovial, forever the joker, he always liked to speak about ICTs and how their impact could change the lives of individuals, the community and the world.”
Ndlovu, a father of three and grandfather of two, also left his mark through his Chronicle columns, where he demystified technology and explored its impact on society, business and public institutions.
His burial arrangements are still being finalised, while mourners are gathering at Number S10, Mzilikazi suburb, Bulawayo.
As Zimbabwe mourns, those who knew him say his greatest legacy is not the technology he worked with, but the people he sought to connect, empower and inspire.
“May his passion for technology, his love for Bulawayo and his vision for a better-connected future continue to inspire us. Rest in peace, Robert. Your vision will live on,” said Mr Shoko.
