LIVE BLOG: CDE NDLOVU BURIAL

1157: Go well, go well, soon of the soil, hamba kahle,” says President Mnangagwa as he ends his speech. That concludes our updates.

1154: “The Zimbabwe we want will only come through hardwork. Let us harness our skills, talents and resources to develop our country. Let’s desist from divisive politics.”

He condemned actions by hooligans who, wearing Zanu-PF regalia,  destroyed property and beat up people in Harare South. He said the perpetrators will be brought to book.

1149: “While he was the Zapu represententative in America Prof Ndlovu mobilises food and clothes for liberation fighters. He rose through the ranks of Zapu and became chief advisor of Zapu at the Geneva and Lancaster conferences. After independence he distinguished himself as a committed public servant. He was a consistent and persistent cadre in the party. He was a disciplined and hard working leader with a sound and clear understanding of party rules. A unifier and peacemaker, committed to the betterment of the lives of people. Professor Ndlovu’s traits must be instilled in all of us as we transform our country into a middle income economy by 2030,” says President Mnangagwa while challenging citizens to remain loyal to our country nomatter the challenges we are facing.

1145: “He was subjected to political persecution but continued to rally Zimbabweans against minority rule. He engaged in student politics while at college in Lesotho. He challenged youths to emulate Prof Ndlovu. Students should take part in the country’s development. Institutions of higher learning should produce technocrats to usher the country into 4th industrial revolution,”

1143: “The late hero grew up in a hostile political environment which gave rise to indigenous political movements. The colonial regime enacted oppressive laws. Cde Ndlovu was a victim of these laws. He became involved in politics in the 1950s at Empandeni School under the tutorship of Cde George Silundika,”

1141: President conveys his heartfelt condolences to the Ndlovu family on their loss adding that the whole nation is mourning with them.

“We’ve lost an intellectual giant, scholar, man of substance with a rich history of service to party and Government. His contribution helped in the transformation of the country,”

1140: “We’ve gathered today at this solemn occasion in deep grief to mourn and celebrate the life of a gallant son. The gathering is a befitting send off to a a true patriot of our beloved country,”

1137: President Mnangagwa takes to the podium to address mourners.

1125: “Malume ran his race, gave what was given to him to give,” says Dr Ndlovu as he ends his eulogy.

1124: ” He left a good job in the US to come back and work for his country. He was a family unifier who everyone waited for during any function. Bulawayo must maintain his legacy by remaining united. We are left with a big gaping hole. He was in the process of writing a book, but unfortunately he passed on before the completion of the project. I have heard testimonies of how he brought order in Zanu-PF structures in Bulawayo,”

1120: The Ndlovu family representative, Dr Allan Dube, takes to the podium to address mourners. He describes Prof Ndlovu as a principled, disciplined, loyal, courageous, considerate, fair, deep thinker, passionate, educated, patriotic, astute politician, among other superlatives.

“Universities have lost a Professor, academic par excellence. Zanu PF has lost a loyal cadre. Bulawayo city has lost a city father,”

1117: Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Ambassador Cain Mathema is the Master of Ceremony. He has invited Minister of Religion at this burial Father Ribeiro.

1050: The body has now arrived at the national shrine accompanied President Mnangagwa and the First Lady Amai Auxilia Mnangagwa.

1045: Vice President Mohadi has arrived at the National Heroes Acre.

0953: President Mnangagwa and the First Lady arrive and will proceed to lead the body viewing ceremony.

0936: Service chiefs led by ZDF commader, General Philip Valerio Sibanda have arrived.

0903:  The body has now been taken inside Stodart hall ahead of the arrival of President Mnangagwa.

0855: The body of the late national hero has arrived.

0853: Scores of mourners have gathered outside Stodart Hall in Mbare ahead of the arrival of late national hero Professor Callistus Ndlovu’s body.