Vusumuzi Dube
Raymond Jaravaza
THE family of the late Highlanders chief executive officer Sihlangu Dlodlo who was found dead at his home in Bulawayo’s Nketa 9 suburb on Monday evening says it will not share the results of the post-mortem and has pleaded with the public to respect its privacy over the matter.
A luminary in the entertainment, business and sports industry, Dlodlo has been bestowed the honour of being buried at the Lady Stanley Cemetery on Saturday.
The late Dlodlo was found dead by concerned family members and close friends after being unseen for almost two days.
His last communication was on Saturday evening, hours after he was last seen watching a Highlanders Royals match earlier in the afternoon. His body was found after a search party broke a window pan at his home, peeped through and saw his lifeless body.
“My brother will be buried at the Lady Stanley Cemetery on Saturday. A funeral service will be held at the Bulawayo Amphitheatre in the morning so that everyone can be afforded an opportunity to give Sihlangu a befitting send-off,” said his older brother Mr Nkosana Griffiths Dlodlo in an interview.
He appealed to the public to respect the wishes of the family to not disclose the results of the post mortem that revealed when and how the celebrated Bulawayo luminary passed away.
“We ask for privacy as the Dlodlo family. The results of the post mortem will not be shared with the public. We know and appreciate that he was a public figure who was loved by the people of Bulawayo and all the country because of his contribution to society but as family we ask for privacy,” said Mr Dlodlo.
Sihlangu was a man of many talents, a luminary in various spheres of life in Bulawayo and beyond who made a name is the arts industry where he was involved in the theatre industry with numerous artistic achievements, including the his acclaimed direction of the ZBC production Hlengiwe Mntanami.
His portfolio in the arts industry spans decades, with plays such as Have You Seen Yoyo?, Ntombiyakise and None But Ourselves showcasing his exceptional talent and commitment. Many other notable productions followed where he worked with the late great entertainment guru Cont Mhlanga and respected Raisedon Baya.
On the business side, Dlodlo had gained vast experience as a sales and marketing executive with various prominent companies. He was also a bona fide life member of Highlanders Football Club.
Bongani Ndlovu