The nation is grieving following the passing on of Major General (Retired) Solomon Siziba, on 15 January 2025, at Josiah Magama Tongogara Camp Hospital after battling cancer.

He was 67.

Early Life

Major General (Retd) Solomon Siziba, whose nom de guerre was Cde Lebanon Ngazimbi, was born on 25 April 1958, to Daniel Fani Siziba and Daina Siziba (née Ndlovu) in Matobo District, Matabeleland South Province. He was the first born in a family of nine children namely: Alice, Gladys, Leonard, Otillia, Violet, Portia, Farai, and Metrina. Cde Siziba began primary education at Nhwali Primary School in Gwanda, and completed in 1975. He then enrolled at Manama High School for secondary education in 1976.

Outraged by the racially inspired inequalities that were synonymous with the then brutal Rhodesian regime, Cde Siziba together with Cdes Elson Moyo, Marshal Masera, Albert Ngulube and the late National Hero Lieutenant General (Retd) Dr. SB Moyo abandoned their studies and left then Rhodesia in the company of Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) Forces and crossed the border into Botswana in 1976. Whilst in Botswana, the Rhodesian government pleaded with the students and teachers to return home. In pursuit of this effort, the Rhodesian government sent an evangelical pastor from the Lutheran Church in Manama to persuade the students to return home. Driven by the zeal to liberate their country, the pupils turned down the request. The group eventually left Botswana and crossed into Zambia and were received at CGT Base, which was under the command of Cde Phillip Valerio Sibanda. Cde Siziba underwent Basic Guerrilla Training in Kaunga under General Phillip Valerio Sibanda who was the Camp Commandant. Cde Siziba was one of the survivors of the Freedom Camp and Mukushi Camp attacks by the Rhodesian Forces in 1978. In 1979, he was selected to undergo training in Moscow, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR). Upon completion of training, he returned to Zambia and was deployed at MTD Solwezi as the Reconnaissance Detachment Commander up to ceasefire.

Post-Independence Political Life

Major General (Retd) Siziba was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army and commissioned as an Equivalent Captain on 31 January 1981. He was later appointed Adjutant for 18 Infantry Battalion in Kezi. Major General (Retd) Siziba played a crucial role in the Mozambique and Democratic Republic of Congo Campaigns. In 2005, he was appointed as a Defence Attaché in Botswana, where he was credited for establishing the Botswana Military Attaché Association (BMAA) and producing its Constitution.

During his career in the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) the Major General (Retd) Siziba successfully attended and completed various career courses which include:

Unit Administration Course
Administration Inspection Course
Officers’ Foundation Course
Junior Staff Course
Command and Staff Course
Military Observers’ Course
United Nations Military Observers’ Course
Military Diplomatic Course

Major General (Retd) Siziba did not only excel in military service but was equally gifted in the academic field. He obtained the following professional qualifications:

Executive Course in Defence Management
M a n a g e m e n t C o u r s e for Civilian and Military Peacekeepers
Certificate in Performance Management
French Language Course
Diplomatic Course
Diploma in Salesmanship
National Intermediate

Diploma in Business Studies

National Diploma in Human Resources Management
Higher National Diploma in Human Resources Management

Bachelors of Science in Peace, Conflict and Governance
Masters in Business Administration

During his service with the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), Major General (Retd) Siziba was awarded the following medals for his continued dedication, selflessness and exemplary service to the nation:

Liberation Medal—for his gallantry and selfless dedication to the liberation of Zimbabwe.

Independence Medal—for his contribution towards the Independence of Zimbabwe.

Ten Years’ Service Medal—for his immense contribution to the integration, formation and development of the Zimbabwe National Army during the first ten years of its existence.
Long and Exemplary Service Medal—for his exemplary service for continuous fifteen years.

Mozambique Campaign Medal—for his contribution towards the restoration of peace and stability in Mozambique.

Democratic Republic of Congo Campaign Medal—for his contribution towards peace and the regard of humanity in the

Grand Officer of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit Award— for his eminent achievement and distinguished service to Zimbabwe and humanity at large.

Major General (Retd) Siziba also held the following appointments during his military service:

Adjutant
Company Second in Command
Wing Officer Commanding at Pay and Records
Administrative Staff Officer Grade Three (Personal Services) at Army Headquarters
Administrative Staff Officer Grade Two (Conditions of Service) at Army Headquarters
Staff Officer Grade Two (Careers) at Army Headquarters
Staff Officer Grade One (Policy) at Zimbabwe Defence Forces Headquarters
Staff Officer Grade One (Pay and Conditions of Service) at Zimbabwe Defence Forces Headquarters
Commanding Officer 43 Infantry Battalion
Commanding Officer All Arms Battle School
Administrative Staff Officer Grade One (Personnel Services) at Army Headquarters
Defence Attaché Botswana
Deputy Commander Headquarters 1 Infantry Brigade
Brigadier General Inspectorate Army Headquarters

Other outstanding achievements of Major General (Retd) Siziba include the following:

Board Secretary of the National Prosecuting Authority Board • Director Administration of the National Prosecuting Authority

Hero Status

Following the demise of Major General (Retd) Solomon Siziba, His Excellency President Dr. E.D Mnangagwa and Politburo unanimously conferred him with National Hero Status in recognition of his immense contribution to the Liberation Struggle and the development of post-independence Zimbabwe.

Major General (Retd) Solomon Siziba is survived by two children namely: Calvin and Collins and three grandchildren: Tristan, Seren and Kelly Kanyisile.

Rest in Peace Son of the Soil!

Kha Vho Edele Nga Mulalo Vho Siziba!

Zororai Murugare Gamba Ramagamba!