Vusumuzi Dube
Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
THE Ministry of Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has mourned the death of the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) Provincial director for Matabeleland North, Mr Dumisani Nyoni.
He passed away yesterday (Monday) in hospital where he was admitted to a private ward at United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH). He was 60.
Mr Nyoni, had been unwell for sometime and was on sick leave at the time of his death.
Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) acting chief director, Mr Leonard Munamati said Mr Nyoni an agricultural extension fundi who dedicated his entire 30 plus years in the Ministry servicing the Matabeleland farming community with knowledge and expertise in agriculture.
“He had a natural push about his expertise and was a regular on radio agricultural talk shows where he improved the Department’s visibility and reaching out to all corners of the province. Mr Nyoni was a field officer who concentrated his time to visiting and interacting with farmers amid his condition of living with disability,” he said.
He said Mr Nyoni’s workmanship and passion led to him being recognised by the Ministry and was appointed to the post of ARDAS Provincial Director for Matabeleland North a post which he only celebrated for three months before going on sick leave.
Mr Munamati said Mr Nyoni had also been appointed the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) board member in the province due to his vast experience and institutional memory of Matabeleland North.
“God continued showering him with more blessings due to his good extension acumen after he was nominated president of the Bulawayo Agricultural Society (BAS) under the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF). A lot of people taped to Nyoni’s knowledge both academically and agriculturally and many can witness to his grooming skills and sharing of research knowledge,” he added.
“The province has lost a mentor, a Ministry veteran, an agricultural visionary and a leader par excellence. We grieve and celebrate his life in the extension space and we say, lala kuhle matshelela, rest well matshelela.”
Online Reporter