UMZINGWANE – A dark cloud engulfed Matabeleland South Province on Monday last
week when one of the longest serving traditional leaders succumbed to death after battling an
undisclosed illness.
He was 96.
The late traditional leader served with the likes of outspoken Chiefs in the mould of Chief
Vezi Mafu Maduna and Paramount Chief Khayisa Ndiweni, both deceased.
In a statement released by the Zimbabwe Chiefs Council, Vice President, Chief Mtshana
Khumalo, confirmed the death of Chief Sigola saying the chief has been unwell for a long
period.
“We got a message from the Chiefs’ Council President Chief Fortune Charumbira that at
around 10am (last week Monday), thus when Chief Sigola breathed his last. We are
devastated as a region because he was a fountain of knowledge. He was someone that we
could approach for advice. A huge gap has been left by his passing on,” said Chief Khumalo.
Some of his subjects expressed depression as they talked highly of the chief.
“Inkosi sikhotheme. Our Chief has retired.
“As people of Sigola area, the passing on Chief Sigola has left us in the cold. He used to lead
us and not command as is the tradition by many leaders.
Our chief will always put God first before everything,” said Emily Gwebu.
Thamsanqa Sokhulu, also from Sigola Village said the chief was their unifier who treated
everyone equally.
“Chief would make sure that things were shared equally without any favours to certain
individuals. He was a man of few words but very constructive,” said Sokhulu.
The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting
Services, Ndabaningi Nick Mangwana, in his condolence message, twitted, that Chief Sigola
died at United Bulawayo Hospital (UBH).
Umzingwane Development Co-ordinator, Peter Mahlathini, said they lost a father, a mentor
who left a huge gap in the community.
"As a district, we lost a father, a leader; he always guided and helped us to jealously conserve
and preserve our native land. We will always remember him," said Mahlathini.
The dark cloud comes shortly after the President Emmerson Mnangagwa presided over the
installation of Dambisamahubo Mafu-Maduna of Insiza, where he stressed the role of chiefs
as the custodians of community development.
At the same event, the President encouraged chiefs to be drivers of socio-economic
community based development and provide requisite guidance in the implementation of
developmental programmes.
