WATCH: Cremation for late former Gwanda State VC

FORMER Gwanda State University (GSU) Vice Chancellor, Professor Ntombizakhe Mlilo, who died last Saturday in Bulawayo will be cremated in line with her wish.

Prof Mlilo (64) died at her home in Killarney suburb, Bulawayo, following a short illness.

Her twin sister Mrs Ntombizami Ndlovu confirmed the development yesterday saying the funeral service will be held tomorrow at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Roman Catholic Church in Kumalo suburb.

“As an extraordinary woman that she was, she opted for cremation as opposed to burial. She said this to several members of the family and she spoke to several people, which makes it very authentic. She said when she dies, she doesn’t want people to be visiting her grave. So, cremation was her choice,” said Mrs Ndlovu.

She said while her sister took an extraordinary decision to take up cremation, it is something that the society should embrace as well. Bulawayo City Council has for years been lobbying residents to take up cremation due to shortage of burial land.

“But from the council’s perspective you can see that we are running out of land and cremation is ideal and we are trying to save land. West Park Cemetery is now full, Athlone Cemetery and New Athlone Cemetery is also full and in the near future Umvutshwa will also be full,” said Mrs Ndlovu.

“So, I think as a community we will end up realising what the council is saying. They are being realistic, the local authority is not trying to divorce us from our traditions but availability of resources is an issue,” she said.

Mrs Ndlovu described her twin sister as a workaholic who was also keen to see her community develop.

She said her academic prowess, however, did not divorce her from being humble.

“When we were in the village she would adapt to that environment and you would hardly differentiate her from others despite her being a professor. She would easily shift to be a professional when the situation suited. That is who she was,” she said.

Mrs Ndlovu said Prof Mlilo proved to be community-oriented when she took up the position of GSU Vice Chancellor, leaving a highly paying job at a non-governmental organisation for a lower salary.

“It took me sometime to understand why she would leave Amalima where she was handsomely paid. But she was very clear that sometimes there are things that are more important than money. She said as someone who came from Gwanda, it was important to serve the community, which she comes from hence, her decision to take up the job as GSU Vice Chancellor,” said Mrs Ndlovu.

President Mnangagwa appointed Prof Mlilo GSU Vice Chancellor in 2019 and she served until 2020 for one year, seven months.

“She was very focused when her mind was made up. It was difficult for one to crack it but I could. She had a very strong character and was hard working. If she set her mind to doing something she would do it to the best of her ability and we can say she was perfectionist. If you give her a task, she will make sure it is done,” said Mrs Ndlovu.

She said Prof Mlilo started her education at Bengo Primary School in Gwanda, Matabeleland South before proceeding to St Davids Secondary School in Mutare, Manicaland. Due to the liberation war, her school was shut down leading to her coming back home and completing her studies at Mzilikazi High School.

She then studied in the United Kingdom but following independence in 1980 she completed her studies at the University of Zimbabwe. – @nqotshili