Friends Of Sithole Speak On Ndabaningi Hero Status

By Steve Ephraem

Chipinge Bureau Chief 

A member of Friends of Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole (FORNS) Board of Directors suggests that the place where the late nationalist, Rev Ndabaningi Sithole was buried should be declared a national heritage site.

Sailas Chawira, who is the Chief Operations Director of FRONS said that Freedom Farm at Mt Selinda in Chipinge where Sithole’s grave is should be given national recognition.

“Rev Ndabaningi Sithole who died on 12 December 2000 was buried at his Freedom Farm, Chinyadhuma village, Mt Selinda in Chipinge. Since he has been recognised as a national hero 22 years after his death, more things should happen.

“We expect his history to be taught in schools, Freedom Farm be made a national heritage site. We also expect public speeches on Ndabaningi to be held. Streets should also be named or renamed after him,” he said.

Chawira urges the Chipinge family to be positive about the new development.

“President E.D. Mnangagwa has done the right thing, considering Ndabaningi as a hero. In fact, Rev Ndabaningi Sithole has always been a hero. Only recognition by the Government of Zimbabwe was missing.

“FORNS hopes that artists, poets, writers, carvers, sculptors, athletes, musicians, the scholars, members of the public and private sectors, civil society, churches and political movements should be guardians of Zimbabwean culture and heritage,” he added.