LIVE BLOG: DR SIKHANYISO NDLOVU BURIAL

By Costa Mano and Lincoln Towindo

1251: The proceedings have officially ended and that brings a close to our updates.

1248: The National Anthem is now being played as the ceremony draws to a close.

1234: President Mugabe leads the laying of wreaths on the grave.

1217: The casket carrying the body of Dr Ndlovu is now being carried to its final resting place.

1205: President Mugabe has finished his address.

1204: We say goodbye to him as a free and emancipated people..he goes to rest a happy and fulfilled fighter for freedom. He leaves behind a free people, a literate and educated people…a free Zimbabwe whose coming into being gave him so many visible and invisible scars. Go well son of the Elephant, son of the soil. -President Mugabe.

1200: The challenge is to give that education and qualitative leap to help in the economy…..Dr Ndlovu set examples by his chain of colleges…How then does he depart from us? He who sired so many testimonies but alas history will always be told.-President Mugabe.

1157: President Mugabe says yes he went to America to pursue higher education and finished his doctoral studies which was proof of a educated fighter. He says Cde Sikhanyiso went to seek higher knowledge for the struggle not for personal glory and once done he returned back to Zambia to assist the struggle…Dr Ndlovu was a visionary who knew that the struggle wasn’t just about guns.

1153: He was amongst the pioneers at Gonakudzigwa, that notorious open prison in the middle of Gonarezhou….Gonakudzingwa was built for the incarceration of the nationalists on the Zapu side..these open prisons were meant to break the back of the nationalist movement..it was not easy to be a widowed wife of a man who lived in the confines of prison-President Mugabe.

1150: His commitment and dedication to a protracted struggle shall live forever-President Mugabe

1149: It is a sad day indeed as we gather to bury a veteran nationalist and educationist..on behalf of the party Zanu-PF, on behalf of Government and on behalf of the entire nation I pass my condolences to the Ndlovu family especially mama Ndlovu. -President Mugabe.

1146: Dr Chombo has invited President Mugabe to address the mourners.

1137: Mr Ndlovu has finished his speech.

1136: He was an educator, a liberator and one who promoted inter-cultural cohesion-Mr Ndlovu

1133: Mr Ndlovu thanks the President and Government of Zimbabwe for recognising the accomplishments of Dr Ndlovu by declaring him a national hero. He describes his brother’s work in education which led him being named Educator of the Century in 2000.

1132: Dr Chombo has invited Simangaliso Ndlovu who is the family representative to make a speech.

1131: A minister of religion from the Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe gave a sermon on God not being interested in nobodies and paid tribute to the wonderful works of Dr Ndlovu whom he said was a pillar of strength and had a lot of wisdom which he shared with nation till his death.

1123: Home Affairs Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo is the Master of Ceremony.

1111: President Mugabe and First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe has arrived at the National Heroes Acre.