adminThe Herald
10 April 1981
A VETERAN nationalist and Minister of Roads and Road Traffic, Posts and Telecommunications, Mr. George Silundika, died last night after a severe brain hemorrhage.
Mr Silundika, who had been ill at the Andrew Fleming hospital suffering from high blood pressure since Saturday, died at 6.45 p.m., a Government spokesman said.
On the direction of the Prime Minister.
Mr Mugabe, the late Minister who was the Patriotic Front’s secretary for research, will be buried tomorrow at the Heroes Acre and given full military honours.
The spokesman said there would be special trains today from Gwelo and Bulawayo to carry mourners to the funeral.
More detail on the funeral are expected to be issued today.
Mr Silundika (51), who is survived by his wife and four children two boys and two girls is the first Cabinet Minister to die since Independence last year.
His death yesterday put an abrupt end to a long and colourful political career spanning some 20 years, during which he and the late Mr Jason Moyo spearheaded the armed struggle under the banner of ZIPRA.
An articulate and fiery politician, the founder member of the National Democratic Party and subsequent political organisations, headed by the PF leader, Dr Joshua Nkomo, that mushroomed during the nationalist struggle.
A distraught Dr Nkomo last night termed Mr Silundika’s death a “tragedy for all of us and the country” because the Minister had been an outstanding fighter for Zimbabwe’s independence.
Lessons for today
Cde George Silundika played a pivotal role in the liberation of Zimbabwe through his involvement in various nationalist movements and his leadership in the armed struggle. Cde Silundika was a founding member of the National Democratic Party (NDP) and served as its Secretary-General. He was instrumental in organising protests and advocating for African rights.
He was a key figure in the Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU), working closely with Joshua Nkomo. Silundika held various positions, including Publicity Secretary and External Representative, where he coordinated international support for the liberation movement.
As Minister of Roads, Road Traffic, Post and Telecommunications, George Silundika made several significant contributions to Zimbabwe’s Infrastructure Development, telecommunication and public service.
Online Reporter