Online Reporter
Peter Matika, Senior Reporter
BULAWAYO has lost one of its most respected entrepreneurs following the passing of Mr Abednego Ncube, the founder and owner of Dial-a-Vision, who died on Tuesday following a long battle with colon cancer.
He was 70.
Mr Ncube was regarded as one of the pioneers of indigenous black business ownership in Bulawayo.
His brother and director of Foundation Group of Colleges, Mr Message Ncube, said he died at a local hospital.
“He was one of Bulawayo’s esteemed business persons. He was among the first black people to own a big shop in the city of Bulawayo, known as Bulawayo Discount Furniture. This inspired many indigenous businesses to follow suit, many of whom could still not believe that racial discrimination was over,” he said.
Message said his brother pioneered one of the first black licensed taxi businesses, which was known as Frixi taxis.
“This paved the way for many indigenous black businesses to realise that there were opportunities in the transport sector, which blacks had been barred from during the Rhodesian era,” said Message.
He said thereafter Abednego established another shop — Abbies International (Pvt) Ltd, which later on became known as Dial-a-Vision Electronics (Pvt) Ltd and operated a successful electronics and furniture business.
“He immensely assisted the youth by employing them, thereby empowering them to have a start in life. He also established a digital marketing company, showing his capacity to cope with the new age digital realities,” Message said.
He said mourners are gathered at Number 1 De Bees Road in Paddonhurst.
“He will be laid to rest at Lady Stanley Cemetery on Sunday (today),” said Message.
Mr Ncube is survived by wife and six children.
