Mackenzie Sibanda has died

Lovemore Dube, Sports Editor
FORMER Highlanders FC player, coach and administrator Mackenzie Sibanda has died. He was 80. Sibanda, a Bulawayo City Councillor since 2008, died on Thursday evening at United Bulawayo Hospitals, a day after he had been admitted complaining of breathing problems. Jane Mpofu, a niece to Sibanda confirmed that her uncle passed on on Thursday evening. She said it was evident during the evening visiting hour that he was in great pain and they were informed an hour later that he had died.

“He was admitted to hospital on Wednesday   evening. It was evident during the Thursday visiting hour that he was in pain. At about 8pm we got a call to say he was no more. It’s sad for the family and community,” said Mpofu.

Sibanda was born on 22 June 1933 in Emakhandeni now Fort Rixon. He attended elementary school there before completing his Standard Six in Bulawayo where he sought employment. He worked for a number of companies which include Townshend and Butcher, Bulawayo Tyre Services, Fulton and Evans.

His association with Highlanders began in 1953 when he joined the club as a goalkeeper.

He went on to play as a midfielder for the club’s first to third teams. His brilliance on the field caught the attention of those who were responsible for selecting Red Army which was a Bulawayo Select which played in tournaments such as Townshend and Butcher, Osborne Trophy and the

Livingstone Memorial which involved teams from Zimbabwe and Zambia.

He won the Livingstone Memorial Trophy in 1954 and 1955.

At the onset of organised national football in 1962, the big three clubs moved out of the then Bulawayo African Football Association now the Bulawayo Amateur Football Association (BAFA) to form Cobras.

Highlanders remained under Bafa only joining the structures of the Rhodesia National Football League in 1968.

Sibanda did not stay long at Cobras after him and several players felt that they would have betrayed Bosso who were left with virtual junior players. He was to retire some years later and is credited with being among the pioneers of the Highlanders junior policy in 1969, passing the baton to a gentleman known as David Mbawula and the revered Ali “Baba” Dube.

Sibanda was elected Zifa Junior League committee member in 1980 before rising to the post of Zifa Matabeleland North provincial chairman.

He rose to national junior league vice-president in 1992 and also assumed the position of chairman of Area Zone Leagues in Matabeleland North.

His association with Highlanders continued as he was a Life Member and in 1995 he was chosen chairman of Matabeleland High City an affiliate of Highlanders that retained the club’s slot in Bafa in 1968 fearing that if things in professional football did not work out, players can always return and find a home in the team.

He held the position for four years and he had been BAFA chairman since 2000.

Besides football, Sibanda was a keen church-goer.

A close friend of Sibanda, Edward Dlamini described the death of the Mzilikazi councillor as a big loss to the community.

“I was among the young boys who joined Bosso during the days of the Big Three break away, I was among those who called for him and other senior players to come back and safeguard our inheritance which is Highlanders.

“We have been friends since then. We used to consult a lot about Highlanders issues, he was so passionate about the team and Bulawayo people,” said Dlamini.

Silas Ndlovu one of the club’s most loved and successful sons, described Sibanda as a true Highlanders hero who had worked for the club’s success by establishing a junior policy which later became the cornerstone of the club’s successes.

In a condolence message, the Bulawayo City Council said Sibanda had worked tirelessly since joining it in 2008.

“The City of Bulawayo has learnt with shock and great sadness of the passing away of Councillor Mackenzie Julius Sibanda on Thursday, 20th June 2013. Councillor M J Sibanda has worked tirelessly in the Bulawayo City Council since joining the Council in 2008.  During his term of office as a Councillor, Sibanda represented Council in the United College of Education Advisory Council for the 2008/2009 Municipal Year. He also served under various Council Committees which included the Environmental Management and Engineering Services Committee; Future Water Supplies and Water Action Committee and the Health, Housing and Education Committee among others. His Worship the Mayor, Councillors of the City of Bulawayo, the Town Clerk, Staff Members and residents wish to convey our profound grief and sorrow to the Sibanda family at the death of Councillor M J Sibanda,” said Nesisa Mpofu, the local authority’s spokesperson in a statement yesterday.

Jane said Sibanda would be buried tomorrow at Lady Stanley Cemetery.

Mourners are gathered at K20 Mzilikazi.

Sibanda has left behind a wife, Elizabeth and three daughters. He had four sons all of whom died.