Online Reporter
Bruce Ndlovu, Zimpapers Writer
THE streets of Bulawayo were left smelling of burnt rubber yesterday as a convoy transporting Babongile Sikhonjwa, the self-proclaimed “Ndebele Rock Star,” brought traffic to a standstill en route to a high-octane memorial service.
This was a send-off befitting a character whose infectious energy defined life in the city for over two decades.
Renowned car spinners, businesspeople, politicians, and ordinary citizens all converged in the City of Kings to bid farewell to a larger-than-life figure. His influence was so weighty that his departure felt like the city itself was saying goodbye to one of its own.
The day’s proceedings began at his family home in Richmond, where loved ones offered prayers and songs, as if sensing this would be their final private farewell. From that moment, he was no longer just Babongile Sikhonjwa — he became the “Ndebele Rock Star,” a man who meant different things to different people. To his family, his body had returned for a prayerful send-off. To his friends and fans, it was time to celebrate and honour a man who seemed to tower above all others.
The route of his final journey was symbolic. A large convoy made its way from Richmond to the city centre, tracing the path of a man who had stamped his cultural legacy across the city. At Barbourfields Stadium, the home of Highlanders Football Club, fans broke into song and praise, remembering a man whose soul was forever intertwined with the black and white of Bosso.
At the Brethren in Christ Church headquarters in the city centre, wheel spinners burned rubber in the streets while family and friends offered their final prayers inside. To those within, he was a family man, the son of a devout Christian who had attended Sunday school since childhood. To those outside, he was an adrenaline junkie, a man who lived life in the fast lane — and would have loved the speed on display. The tragedy, of course, was that he was no longer there to appreciate either.
In true Sikhonjwa style, he arrived like a king at the Bulawayo Amphitheatre. His cowhide-draped coffin was a sight to behold. Even in death, he stood apart. He was met by a crowd of hundreds, solemn and silent, gathered to bid him farewell. The mood was sombre, with glum faces — some on the verge of tears. But, in typical Sikhonjwa fashion, it wasn’t long before his presence lifted the atmosphere. Guests began to crack jokes, reflecting on the life of a man who always found the lighter side of life. “Everyone has a Sikhonjwa story,” they said.
In her keynote address at the service, the Minister for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Judith Ncube, described Sikhonjwa’s life as an exhibition of the vibrancy and resilience.
“Today, as we gather here to bid farewell and pay respects to Babongile Sikhonjwa, it is with deep sorrow that we mourn the loss of our beloved one. I would like to express my deepest condolences to the Sikhonjwa family for the loss of your beloved one. It is our loss as a province and as a nation at large,” she said.
“His life and presence reached far beyond the boundaries of the entertainment industry, touching the lives of millions around the world. The President sends his deepest condolences to the Sikhonjwa family for the loss of our beloved one.
“May the Lord strengthen and comfort you during this difficult time. Silahlekelwe njengelizwe leZimbabwe.”
Minister Ncube said Bulawayo province was grateful to President Mnangagwa for the State-assisted funeral for Sikhonjwa whom she described as a cultural icon who has left an irreplaceable void in the hearts of the people.
“Sikhonjwa was not only an accomplished artiste but a compassionate individual, actively working towards making Zimbabwe a great nation and the world a greater place. He was a shining example of resilience, perseverance and the power of art to inspire and unite,” said Minister Ncube
“In the face of our collective grief, we must find strength and continue his legacy by fostering an inclusive society where talent and the pursuit of excellence is nurtured and cherished.”
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Nick Mangwana, who was represented by the ministry’s Director International Communication, Mr Richard Mahomva, also poured out his heart, expressing Government’s deep sadness on the passing on of Sikhonjwa.
He described him as a distinguished Zimbabwean media sector icon and a world class director of ceremonies to ever come out of the country.
“He was just more than a Bulawayo arts giant nor was he Zimbabwe’s finest. He was a world star who walked among us,” said Mr Mangwana.
“Through arts, Sikhonjwa was a unifier whose work made all Zimbabweans love each other beyond party lines.
“We are sad that Babongile’s demise follows the loss of other great creative sector pathfinders of the region namely: Conti Mhlanga and most recently Pathisa Nyathi.”
Mr Mangwana said the late Sikhonjwa’s role as a broadcaster at Skyz Metro and Star FM will never be forgotten, paying tribute to his pioneering role in mainstreaming comedy in Bulawayo and priming the city as a citadel of the comedy industry.
“We will miss his humour during State occasions. We will miss how he made us laugh every time he did his work.
His role in arts governance will be remembered forever,” said Mr Mangwana.
Among his many contributions, Mr Mangwana said Sikhonjwa supported the ministry’s annual ZITF Media Indaba as a key pillar.
“I know his passion for issues of this region and his support to Highlanders Football Club makes him a hero of this city.
As we celebrate his life, let us not forget to be the good person that Babongile was to all of us,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of Zanu-PF Bulawayo Provincial chairperson Cde Jabulani Sibanda, provincial secretary for administration Cde Raymond Mutomba described Sikhonjwa as a unifier.
He went down memory lane reflecting on the personal relationship he enjoyed with Sikhonjwa from the time the socialite was in school.
“We are not here to mourn but to celebrate the life of Babongile. Babongile was a larger than life character, he would turn any event into a memorable one,” said Cde Mutomba.
“Babongile used Red Café to promote local talent and very few people are doing that here in Bulawayo. We must learn to promote art in the city, art is business, we invite amapiano artistes from South Africa and give them 20 000 rand but we want to give our own musicians 1 000 rand, we must not do that.
“Radio stations must also promote local talent because art is business.”
Each speaker offered a glimpse into the man they knew: the naughty boy who started kissing girls in Grade 2 at Baines, the businessman who could unlock any door, the Soul Brothers fan who worshipped Bosso, and the father whose son defined his life. Every attempt to paint a complete picture of his life fell short. He was not a man to be captured with broad strokes. Each speaker held a small paintbrush, adding their own detail to the portrait of a socialite whose existence gave true meaning to the word.
Farewells to Sikhonjwa were deeply reflective of the community spirit he carried with him until his final breath. At the funeral service, a close friend who had been by his side during his last moments revealed that doctors had found, in his autopsy, that his heart had enlarged — medically indicating it had been overworking. One of his arteries had ruptured and flooded one of the sacs surrounding his heart. A man with a big heart — that’s how many chose to remember him.
