Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
THE late veteran Zanu-PF member Cde Edward Ntungwana Songo, who was involved in national politics from the early 1960s and remained active in the ruling party for decades, will be buried in Bulawayo on Friday.
Cde Songo, who was 88, died at a local private clinic on Sunday after battling illness since early 2024.
His granddaughter and family spokesperson, Ms Nomklakazi Songo, described him as a pillar of strength and a unifying figure in the family.
“Relatives have started arriving for the funeral and we are making final logistics for his burial at a local cemetery in Bulawayo. We will know the exact cemetery where our grandfather will be buried when the necessary paperwork has been completed, but the burial has been set for Friday,” she said.
Mourners had started gathering yesterday at the family home at Number 135 in Barbourfields suburb, where Cde Songo was remembered as a popular figure both in his community and political circles.
“He was a very popular man in his community and in the political sphere. Mourners are gathered at our family home at Number 135 Barbourfields suburb in Bulawayo,” said Ms Songo.
Born on May 1, 1938, Cde Songo joined national politics in 1961 as a war collaborator (mjibha) in Mbalibali.
According to Zanu-PF, he moved to Lupane in 1967, where he continued collaborating with guerrillas until Independence in 1980.
Following Independence, Cde Songo remained aligned to Zapu before joining Zanu-PF after the signing of the Unity Accord between Zanu-PF and PF-Zapu 1987.
He was subsequently elected district chairperson in 1987 and went on to hold various positions in the Zanu-PF Bulawayo Province Main Wing until late 2014.
Cde Songo was a member of Mziba District, Zanu-PF Bulawayo DCC Area 1 and remained involved in party activities in the province after leaving formal provincial structures.
He was also part of the campaign team for the late Colonel (Retired) Tshinga Dube during the 2014 and 2018 elections.
His political journey, spanning more than six decades, saw him participate in the nationalist struggle, witness Independence and remain active through the post-Independence political landscape.
Cde Songo is survived by his wife, Lucy, six children, several grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
