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Zandile Ndlovhu
Harare-based businessman and war veteran Chemist David Siziba, who died on Saturday last week, was one of the pioneers of the establishment of cellular services in Zimbabwe.
Siziba passed on at Parirenyatwa Hospital. He was 76.
Born on June 30 1947 in the Insiza, Filabusi, Matabeleland South, Siziba did his primary and secondary schooling at the Bretheren-in-Christ Church School after which he joined Fletcher High School for A-Levels.
In 1971, while studying for an agricultural degree at the University of Rhodesia, he became a student activist which made him unable to complete his degree programme.
He secured a Commonwealth scholarship to go the University of Bombay and obtained a BSc degree in Electronics Engineering.
During his time in India, his political resolve and activism grew. Cde Siziba proceeded to the United Kingdom where he joined the staff of the ZAPU office. He worked as a deputy engineer for the BBC in 1977 and several other London establishments.
In 1978, Siziba left UK for Zambia to join the liberation struggle and was part of a 25-member team sent for training as an intelligence expert in Russia alongside Bernard Ncube, Ivathi Ndlovu, Patrick Mlilo, Martin Jabulani Shatin, Mxolisi Ncube, Obert Ndlovu, S Ndlovu, and Mandlenkosi Ncube.
He was then posted to Lusaka at the ZAPU headquarters where he served with Jeremy Brickhill, Advocate Nkiwane, Frazer Nyathi, Sam Madondo, Victor Mlambo, King Nebart Madida, Swazini Ndlovu and TG Sibindi.
Siziba was then posted to the National Security Organisation (NSO) wing of ZAPU, responsible for external intelligence operations, where he worked closely with the late Russian-trained intelligence supremo and national hero, Dumiso Dabengwa, under national hero Father Zimbabwe Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo.
After the historic Lancaster House ceasefire and transitional talks in London at the end of liberation war, Siziba returned home with the ZAPU delegation.
He then joined Government in 1980 working under the late national hero George Silundika who was then Minister of Roads, Post and Telecommunications as an assistant secretary.
Thereafter, he worked in the Ministry of Industry and Technology, having risen through the ranks to become under-secretary, then Deputy Permanent Secretary, the rank at which he left Government after eight years.
After leaving Government service, Siziba became an industrialist and established his own bicycle manufacturing company, Norton Cycles. He also ventured into the food sector being one of the first cornflakes manufacturers.
Siziba is celebrated as one of the pioneers of black empowerment and entrepreneurship in Zimbabwe.
He became an active driver of black empowerment, becoming leader of the Indigenous Business Development Centre (IBDC) which he co-founded in 1991 with Ben Mucheche, Leo Mugabe and Strive Masiyiwa.
In 1996, Siziba founded Cosmos Cellular as one of three companies that were service providers to the newly established NetOne, a state owned national mobile telecommunications company.
Cosmos Cellular grew to be a formidable company that assisted the expansion of cellular network coverage in Zimbabwe.
It also carried a number of community responsibility programmes including sponsoring the Cosmos Cellular Football Challenge Cup between Dynamos and Highlanders, Mthwakazi Golf Society and other sporting and cultural activities.
At the time of his death, he was involved in another game-changing project in the SADC region.
Siziba, as a socialite in Harare and Bulawayo circles, will be remembered for his love of good debates, love for Highlanders Football Club and his witty humour.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret, two children, and two grandchildren.
Mourners are gathered at number 75 Gamble Close in Borrowdale, Harare.
Online Reporter