derick.khumalo
Marko Ncube Lieutenant Colonel (Retired)
The community is in mourning following the tragic loss of Fiso Siziba, a multi-talented leader, mentor and public servant affectionately known as “Bra Fiso.” His remarkable journey took him from the classrooms of Induna Barracks to the frontlines of the police service and into the heart of Zimbabwean football. Throughout his life, he exemplified discipline, humility, mentorship and unwavering dedication to his country.
A Transformative Figure in Education and Football
In 1992, a young and soft-spoken Fiso Siziba joined Induna Barracks as a teacher. Although naturally reserved, he possessed a warmth and maturity that made him feel more like an approachable elder brother than a distant authority figure. It was this unique relationship that earned him the affectionate title “Bra Fiso” rather than “Teacher Siziba.”
I was in Form Three at the time. He was my History teacher, football coach and mentor, and years later he would become my junior in the security services—a remarkable twist in our shared journey.
While calm and composed in the classroom, Bra Fiso became a completely different person on the football field. His passion for the game was infectious. As the school’s football coach, he breathed new life into the team and challenged long-standing traditions by introducing talented Form Three pupils into the senior side. I was fortunate to be among that pioneering group, alongside Martin Gono, Motion Vambe and Brian. The move created healthy competition for places and significantly raised the standard of football at the school.
Under his guidance, Induna Barracks also qualified for and participated in the prestigious Peter Ndlovu Coca-Cola Schools Tournament for the first time, a milestone that remains etched in the school’s sporting history.
Bra Fiso possessed an exceptional eye for talent and nurtured several players who would later make their mark in Zimbabwean football, among them:
– Mkhululi Masuku, who went on to captain Buffaloes FC in the Premier Soccer League.
– Abednicko Molosi, now head coach of Bulawayo Jumbos.
– Antony Muyengwa Mpofu, arguably Bra Fiso’s finest football prospect, whom he later took to Highlanders FC. Although Antony eventually left Bosso to join the Zimbabwe National Army, and later exchanged football boots for a guitar, his immense talent was undeniable.
From the Pitch to Public Service
Bra Fiso was a true dual-threat during his early career, successfully balancing his teaching responsibilities with playing football for the military side Methuen Tigers.
His journey later took him into the Zimbabwe Republic Police, where his professionalism and expertise quickly earned widespread respect.
I witnessed this firsthand in 1996 while undergoing the Regular Officers Cadet Course. Although he was only a Constable at the time, Bra Fiso delivered a presentation on crowd dispersal to our course—a responsibility traditionally reserved for senior officers. It was an extraordinary achievement that reflected not only his competence but also the confidence the organisation had in his knowledge and abilities.
Shaping Future Leaders
Bra Fiso’s greatest legacy lies in the lives he transformed.
I personally credit him with igniting my lifelong passion for football administration. That passion eventually led me to become Zimbabwe’s youngest football club chairman at the age of 30, when I took over Tongogara FC in 2006. I later served as team manager of Black Rhinos FC between 2016 and 2018.
Despite the changing dynamics of our professional lives, Bra Fiso never allowed rank to interfere with relationships. When some of his former students, including myself, eventually became his seniors in the security services, he embraced the professional reality with grace and humility while maintaining the friendship we had built over the years. Every now and then, he would jokingly remind me that he had once been my teacher.
That humility defined the man.
A Lasting Legacy
Until his untimely passing, Bra Fiso remained the same calm, approachable and down-to-earth individual who stayed connected with former colleagues in both the military and the police.
His passing has sent shockwaves through the many communities whose lives he touched.
He will be remembered not only for his distinguished service but also for his extraordinary gift of inspiring others, developing young talent and bringing people together through football. His influence extended far beyond the classroom and the parade ground. It lives on in every life he shaped, every footballer he mentored and every leader he inspired.
Bra Fiso’s life stands as powerful testimony that true greatness is measured not by titles or rank, but by the positive impact one leaves on others.
Go well, Bra Fiso.
May your soul rest in eternal peace. Your legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
