Qhube: Four Seasons a man

Simba Jemwa
WHEN the world was introduced to Sihlangu Dlodlo all of 60 years ago, his parents couldn’t have known that he would become a doyen of the arts world, a football administrator par excellence and a comic relief to all spheres of Bulawayo and Zimbabwe’s social fibre.

But that’s exactly what the world thinks of the late ‘Qhube’: four seasons a man!

Born crazy enough to create laughter at the weirdest of moments; born to regale any and all listeners with his colourful anecdotes; born to manage not just businesses but people too; and born to die on the biggest stage of his six-decade-long career – as Highlanders Football Club Chief Executive!

Today, as Bulawayo and Zimbabwe mourn his sad passing, too does the arts world and football corridors. From his days as an artist with the famed Amakhosi Theatre to the corporate world to his entry into mainstream football administration as Bantu Rovers general manager, it was always just a matter of time before Bosso got their hooks into him. And hook him Amahlolanyama did when they appointed him as their Chief Executive early this year.

Many fans of the institution that defines not just Bulawayo or Matabeleland but the country at large as ‘iteamu yezwe lonke’ were excited (and quite possibly chuckled with glee) when Highlanders issued a statement that they had concluded their interviews and settled on ‘Qhube’ to lead their club’s secretariat into the future.

I met ‘Qhube’ 30 years ago when he was at the height of his arts career, a respected performer and respected even more as a scriptwriter, producer and director. And I, a confused teen with tons of time on his hands and perhaps even headed down the wrong path.

But a chance conversation with this larger-than-life personality helped me settle on a career in journalism, the continued pursuit of my passion for basketball and becoming more mindful of the world around me, especially my community in Mzilikazi. In that fleeting moment, he set me straight on just about everything except abandoning my beloved Zimbabwe Saints for ‘iteamu yezwe lonke’.

“Mfanami, impilo ibanzima ungehluleka ukuqakathekisa abantu ohlala labo esigabeni, (My boy, life gets hard when you don’t prioritise the people you live with in your community),” Qhube told me all those 30 years ago.

And today my heart, soul and mind bleed as I reminisce about the life and times of this big man; a man big in stature and big in spirit. Big enough to change lives, influence thoughts and decide the fate of an entire society.

You may not have liked him, and he may have rubbed you the wrong way but if indeed he did, he was having a bad day in the office which you cannot hold against him in the face of all the good that he gave to our worlds – the arts, corporate and football worlds!

By golly, he may not even have been the best-looking lad around (a fact he chose to highlight right up to his final breath) but he was Qhube and only one of him will ever grace our world! And he could charm the socks off your dainty feet if you let him open his mouth and smile!

Sometimes he could be serious enough to cause one to wonder if corporal punishment was legal in Zimbabwe. Too, he could make one laugh so hard that life’s problems became but a fleck of dust on an otherwise pristine surface.

Bulawayo, Matabeleland, Zimbabwe and the world will surely miss this man. I will surely miss Qhube.

Ulale ngokuthula mdala. Hamba ngoxolo. Uyidlalile indima yakho.
An ode to Sihlangu Qhube Dlodlo
Oh Sihlangu Dlodlo, majestic and true,

A symbol of pride, for me and for you.
The Bulawayo’s community’s hope, in every game,

With strength and courage, you wore your fame.

Your Warrior spirit and courage, on the field, and on the stage you show,
A testament to your resilient glow.