Chronicle Editor
Mthabisi Tshuma recently in Bubude village, Tsholotsho
CDE Zenzo Sibanda who was the legislator for Tsholotsho South constituency in Matabeleland North province was on Sunday laid to rest at his home at Bubude village in Tsholotsho.
Cde Sibanda (57) died at the United Bulawayo Hospitals due to Covid-19 complications last Wednesday.
Due to Covid-19 health protocols only a limited number of relatives and war veterans attended the burial.
The funeral procession passed through Cde Sibanda’s village, Bubude where scores of people stood by the roadside to pay their last respects to their MP.
Speaking at the burial, Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Richard Moyo said Cde Sibanda was a hard worker.
“Today we are laying to rest a great man. Cde Sibanda has been a politician, a development practitioner and a pillar of hope to many disadvantaged and vulnerable families. We lay to rest today a unifier and a humble leader who leaves a legacy every progressive Zimbabwean should cherish,” said Cde Moyo.
He said Cde Sibanda spearheaded a number of development projects in his constituency which included construction of schools and clinics and rehabilitation of roads.
“He also paid fees, bought uniforms and books for the disadvantaged and orphaned children,” said Cde Moyo.
“May I, on behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe and on my own behalf extend my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Sibanda family who have been robbed of a father and a pillar of strength. It is indeed a sad day today for the province.”
Cde Moyo urged people to strictly adhere to Covid-19 health protocols saying the pandemic was claiming many lives not only in Zimbbwe but across the globe.
Born in Mberengwa district in 1964, Cde Sibanda fled the country at a young age to join his brothers at Dukwe Refugee transit Camp in Botswana in 1978.
After independence, Cde Sibanda went to Tsholotsho to live with his aunt.
In 1996, Cde Sibanda became the Youth League Chairman of ward 17. He rose through the ranks to become the Provincial member of the Youth League in 2000. In 2012 he was elected Matabeleland Noth provincial secretary for transport and welfare.
He was elevated to Central Committee in 2014, a position he held up to the time of his death.
Cde Sibanda was elected MP for Tsholotsho South constituency in 2013 and retained the seat in 2018. -@mthabisi_mthire
Online Reporter