Chronicle Editor
Simba Jemwa and Lovemore Dube
RETIRED High Court judge Advocate Siwanda Kennedy Mbuso Sibanda, who was one of the first blacks to be an advocate in the then Rhodesia has died.
He was in his 80s.
His son Mr Tabani Sibanda confirmed his father’s death during a brief telephone interview yesterday.
Adv Sibanda passed away in Johannesburg, South Africa on Wednesday.
Commenting on Advocate Sibanda’s death the president of the Bulawayo Legal Practitioners Association, Advocate Lucas Nkomo said the legal fraternity had learnt with a sad heart of the death of the veteran lawyer.
“It is with a sad heart that I notify you of the passing on of Advocate S.K.M Sibanda.
He passed away yesterday, the 22nd of December 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues during this period. May they be comforted and healed,” said Adv Nkomo.
The son of a farmer in Plumtree, Adv Sibanda enrolled at Tshabanda School in the then Nata Territorial Tribal Lands, now Bulilima District, Matabeleland South Province in 1945.
In 1948 he went to Solusi Mission where he completed his junior certificate in 1955 and the following year, he went to South Africa intending to sit for his matric at Adam’s College.
In 1957 he entered Kilnerton Institute in Pretoria and matriculated in 1958 and that same year, he met friends that made him aim higher than matric.
In 1959 he enrolled for a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Natal but lost the whole year due to illness.
He was enrolled again in 1960 and finished his studies in 1962 after which he enrolled for a Law degree but his studies were interrupted by a series of illnesses in 1963, 1966 and 1968.
Against the advice of his doctor, Sibanda finished his studies.
Fortunately, his determination paid off and when his health improved, he transferred his registration to Maritzburg where he finished his Law studies in 1970.
In order to raise his university fees, he had to study during the day and work at night. He was successful in then Rhodesian examinations to be admitted as an advocate.
After finishing his law degree in South Africa, he worked with a firm of attorneys to complete his articles. He returned to then Rhodesia in March 1971.
Advocate Sibanda also played a part in the liberation of this country representing a number of Blacks arrested and brought to the courts for fighting the Ian Smith regime in the 1970s.
He was part of the Zapu delegation to the Lancaster House negotiations in 1979 leading to the country’s Independence.
He is cited in a number of tribunals for his contribution to the legal fraternity during the struggle and after Independence. His law firm was among the first Black owned to practice in Bulawayo and helped many under privileged access legal services.
He also made a name for himself as an iron fisted football administrator who ran a successful football project known as Bulawayo Wanderers later known as Eagles. With roots in the suburbs of Iminyela, Pelandaba, Old Magwegwe and Njube, Bulawayo Wanderers are still celebrated for a flowing game close to the Brazilians where individual talent and team effort were inter-woven to produce some exciting football for the fans.
Some of the best players to don the team’s strip include Boy Ndlovu, Rahman Gumbo, Elvis Chiweshe, Melusi Doctor Sibanda, Stanford Ntini, Felix Ntuthu, Ebson ‘Sugar’ Muguyo, Max Tshuma, Pernell Mckop, Cleopas Dlodlo, Noel Nyoni, Lazarus Mwambopo, Stoneshead Moyo, Asani Karigeni, John Nyumbu, Lucky Dube, Majuta Mpofu and Victor Moonsammy.
Adv Sibanda is credited with funding the team as well and grooming some of his former players to be better citizens as he also took an active interest in their welfare.
He served in Zifa disciplinary committees at some stage and until age and health took its toll on him, Sibanda was often among the sport’s elders who many administrators sought advice from.
A former Eagles player Collen Ngwenya described Advocate Sibanda as a great leader.
“A great man, great leader, whenever I see White City, I see him.
He spent a lot of his time helping people everywhere not only in soccer. His hands were always open to help when one needed his assistance. Tata we will miss you, rest in peace,” wrote Ngwenya in the Eagles group.
-@RealSimbaJemwa
Online Reporter