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Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Reporter
INFORMATION, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo’s grandmother Elizabeth Sibanda, was buried yesterday in Tsholotsho amid calls for communities to emulate her in steering developmental programmes.Prof Moyo’s granny died on Thursday at a Bulawayo hospital after a long illness.
The director of rural communication in the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Alois Chamboko, told mourners at Mvundlana in Tsholotsho yesterday that they should aim for self-sustainability. He described Sibanda as an indigenous businesswoman who created employment in her community, thus contributing to fulfilling Zim- Asset objectives.
He said if communities created employment opportunities, youths would not abandon the country to seek jobs in neighbouring countries.
“Through her restaurant she created jobs in her community as she didn’t run the shop on her own. She had adopted Zim-Asset and let’s learn from her,” said Chamboko who said he was standing in for Prof Moyo who could not attend the burial as he is out of the country on government business.
“Women you are challenged to emulate her work and if you do so the government will also honour your efforts. I also leave the same challenge to men,” he said.
Chamboko said they were joining Prof Moyo’s family in mourning as officials in the ministry worked in unity.
Scores of Tsholotsho residents, neighbouring communities and people from other areas such as Harare and Bulawayo attended her burial.
Community members said Sibanda’s death was not just a loss to her family but the community at large as she was pro-development.
Councillor for the area Phumuza Dube expressed gratitude for the support given to Sibanda’s family by the community and government officials. “We want to thank the Minister Prof Moyo and Cain Mathema and the community at large for standing with the family,” said Dube.
Her uncle and family spokesperson Christopher Dube said Sibanda was a respectable, God-fearing businesswoman whose death leaves a void which will be difficult to fill.
Sibanda is survived by her husband Super Mike Sibanda, daughter Nokuthula and two grand children.
derick.khumalo