Sunday News
By Ngqwele Dube, Mehluli Sibanda, Bruce Chimani
22 December 2012
ZIMBABWEANS from all walks of life came out in huge numbers to bid farewell to football legend, former Zimbabwe Warriors and Highlanders striker Adam Ndlovu who was laid to rest at Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo yesterday afternoon.
Ndlovu, who was head coach of Castle Lager Premier Soccer League side Chicken Inn at the time of his death, passed away at the age of 42 years in a horrific car accident near Victoria Falls in the early hours of last Sunday. The accident also claimed the life of a female passenger Nomqhele Tshili and left Adam’s younger brother Peter with serious injuries. The Ndlovu brothers were on their way to Victoria Falls for a social soccer match between Highlanders legends and a Victoria Falls soccer league select which was subsequently called off after the disaster.
Peter, who miraculously survived the mishap which took his brother’s life and is still recovering at Mater Dei Hospital, was brought in a wheelchair for the church service at the Bulawayo Amphitheatre and he witnessed his brother being laid to his final resting place.
The former Warriors captain, with a visible scar on his forehead, was heavily guarded but that did not deter journalists from taking pictures of him. He could be seen trying to hold back tears during the church service and when his brother was being laid to rest.
Politicians from across the political divide, football administrators, former national team and Highlanders players, current national team, Highlanders and Chicken Inn players and fans of different soccer teams, some of whom travelled from Harare, witnessed the burial of one of the finest players to emerge from this football crazy nation.
Amphitheatre, the venue for the church service which lasted for more than three hours, was filled to capacity as Zimbabweans came to pay their last respects to the man regarded as the second most prolific Warriors striker with 34 goals from 79 appearances, four goals shy of his brother Peter.
Thousands jostled to catch a glimpse of proceedings at Lady Stanley with the event eventually coming to an end at 4pm. Security personnel had a hard time trying to control the crowd at the cemetery.
Prominent Warriors fan Chris “Romario†Musekiwa led Warriors fans in song and dance after Ndlovu’s coffin was lowered into the grave. Highlanders’ fans were not to be outdone as they also chanted their club slogans.
Madinda Ndlovu, the oldest of the famous Ndlovu brothers, said as a family they were really grateful to Zimbabweans who came out in full support after the tragic event, adding that they had delayed informing Peter of Adam’s death because they were not sure of the seriousness of the injuries “Nsukuzonke†had suffered and they had to protect him.
Speakers at the morning church service included Minister of Mines and Mining Development Obert Mpofu, Minister of Education, Sports, Arts and Culture David Coltart, Zanu-PF national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo and Zimbabwe Football Association vice-president Ndumiso Gumede.
Former Highlanders chairman Gumede described Ndlovu’s death as a great loss to Zimbabwean football. Gumede said it was rare that three members of the same family could be blessed with such immense talent as the Ndlovu brothers did.
Khaya Moyo informed the gathering that even South African president Jacob Zuma had sent him a condolence message, a gesture that showed that the Ndlovu brothers had made an impact beyond the country’s borders. According to Moyo, a moment of silence was observed during the recently ended African National Congress 53rd Conference in Mangaung.
Mpofu said the huge attendance showed that Adam was truly a hero and did not need politicians to accord him that status, drawing a huge applause from the crowd.
Former Highlanders players included Thulani Ncube, Douglas Mloyi, Boy Ndlovu, Zenzo Moyo, Netsai Moyo, Ernest Sibanda, Tobias Mudyambanje, Tito Paketh, Marko Dube, Amini Soma Phiri, Mkhuphali Masuku, Willard Khumalo, Colsen Mabeza, Thabani Masawi, Jerry Sibanda and Peter Nkomo.
Ex-Zimbabwe Warriors in attendance were Paul Gundani, Joel Luphahla, Ian Gorowa, Ronald Sibanda, Callisto Pasuwa, Norman Mapeza, Harlington Shereni, Benjani Mwaruwari, Nelson Bandura, Melody Wafawanaka, Brenna Msiska, Friday Phiri, Stanford Mutizwa, Nesbert Saruchera, Kennedy Nagoli, Dumisani Mpofu, Masimba Dinyero, Misheck Chidzambwa, Gilbert Mushangazhike, Gift Muzadzi, Lloyd Mutasa, Lloyd Chitembwe and Agent Sawu.
Esrom Nyandoro and Musa Mguni were some of the Zimbabwe Warriors players who attended the funeral. Zimbabwe Sables coach Brendon Dawson also attended the burial.
Three daughters survive Adam.