Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube [email protected]
THE late Highlanders FC patron, Mr Jimmy Ncube, will be buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery on Friday, club president Mr Dumisani Sandi has confirmed.
Ncube died on Tuesday night, plunging the Bulawayo giants into mourning for the sixth time in recent weeks.
Confirming the burial arrangements yesterday, Sandi said the club was devastated by Ncube’s death, which came on the heels of the loss of five other Highlanders members.
“What is happening is uBaba is going to be buried tomorrow (Friday). We are respecting family wishes. We are actually following what they want done,” said Sandi.
Ncube’s death follows that of club chairman Retired Colonel Kenneth Mhlophe, his deputy Sifiso Siziba and board member responsible for finance Nkani Khoza, who died in a road accident in Insiza while travelling from Kariba.
Highlanders member Mbalenhle Sibanda also died in the same accident.
Last week, the club was again plunged into mourning following the death of its finance officer, Sihlalisiwe Mnkandla.
Sandi said Ncube’s death was particularly painful given the number of Highlanders members the club had lost in a short period.
He had worked with Ncube on the Highlanders board since 1989 and described him as a respected figure with extensive institutional memory.
Ncube had a long association with Highlanders, serving as a board member and later board secretary for more than two decades before being appointed club patron.
He succeeded the late Taffi Moyo, who died about a decade ago.
During his time on the board, Highlanders enjoyed one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, winning seven league titles, three Chibuku Cups, two Castle Cups, the Zifa Cup, Rothmans Shield, Unity Cup and BP League Cup, among other honours.
Sandi said Ncube’s body would lie in state at his Sunninghill home at 20 Richard Road ahead of Friday’s burial at Lady Stanley Cemetery.
