Late Sihlangu Dlodlo’s wife, children arrive for burial

Raymond Jaravaza

NOKUTHULA Dlodlo, the widow of the late Highlanders chief executive officer, Sihlangu Dlodlo, arrived in Bulawayo on Wednesday night from the United Kingdom ahead of her husband’s burial tomorrow at Lady Stanley Cemetery.

The couple’s three children, who are also based overseas, are expected to arrive in Bulawayo today.

While speculation about the cause of Sihlangu’s sudden death persists, the family has requested privacy and announced that the post-mortem results will not be made public.

Sihlangu garnered respect and admiration through his contributions to the entertainment, business, and sports industries.

His dedication to the development of Bulawayo will forever be remembered, and as a result, he was granted the honour of being buried at the esteemed Lady Stanley Cemetery, reserved for distinguished residents who positively impacted the city’s progress through various fields.

Bulawayo mayor Clr David Coltart pays his condolences at the funeral wake of the late Sihlangu Dlodlo at Mahatshula South suburb yesterday. On the left are some of the Bulawayo councillors who also visited the late Sihlangu Dlodlo family yesterday

Yesterday, Bulawayo mayor, Councillor David Coltart, led a group of councillors and colleagues in mourning the loss of the late icon by visiting his Mahatshula South home.

“As a former Education Minister, I believe that Sihlangu’s role as an educationist is the role where he left the biggest mark in society and the most enduring contribution to our city and our region,” he said.

“Parents place the future of their children in the hands of educationists and the future of our kids depends on the quality of contribution that people like Sihlangu impact on the younger generations.

“The Dlodlo family should be proud of the contribution that he made in the education sector and I hope it gives them comfort that he left a huge mark on society,” said Cllr Coltart.

Deputy mayor, Councillor Edwin Ndlovu, said councillors were shocked by the death of Sihlangu, especially after they last met him for lunch during a meeting of councillors and the Highlanders Football Club executive.

“Dlodlo was a visionary who spoke at length about the need for the council to work with Highlanders to revive some youth centres, which he believed must be used to nurture talent and keep our children away from the streets and drugs,” said Cllr Ndlovu.

He said the late football administrator also wanted Highlanders players to have access to stands at affordable rates so that they could build houses whilst at the peak of their football careers.

“We can’t believe that the man that we had lunch with about eight days ago is no more and all his great ideas that he presented to councillors were his last words to the people of the city that he loved so much.

“Bulawayo City Council saw it fit to bestow him the honour of being buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery for the contributions that he made to the city,” said Cllr Ndlovu.

Sihlangu’s body was found at his Nketa 9 home on Monday evening by concerned family members and close friends after he could not be reached for almost two days.

His last communication was on Saturday evening, hours after he was last seen watching a Highlanders Royals match earlier in the afternoon. The search party broke his bedroom window to peep through and saw his lifeless body leaning against the bed.

A funeral service will be held at the Bulawayo Amphitheatre tomorrow morning to give Bulawayo residents a chance to bid farewell to the late Sihlangu, according to his older brother, Mr Nkosana Griffiths Dlodlo.

Dlodlo was a man of many talents, a luminary in various spheres of life in Bulawayo and beyond who made a name in the arts industry where he was involved in the theatre industry with numerous artistic achievements, including his acclaimed direction of the ZBC production Hlengiwe Mntanami.

His portfolio in the arts industry spans decades, with plays such as Have You Seen Yoyo, Ntombikayise and None But Ourselves showcasing his exceptional talent and commitment. Many other notable productions followed where he worked with the late great entertainment guru Cont Mhlanga and Raisedon Baya.

On the business side, Dlodlo had gained vast experience as a sales and marketing executive with various prominent companies.

He was also a bona fide life member of Highlanders Football Club.

Mourners are gathered at 310 Mahatshula South.