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Mrs Belinda Ndlovu

Auxilia Katongomara, Chronicle Reporter
WIFE to the late former Bulawayo Mayor, Jareth Ndlovu, Mrs Belinda Ndlovu has died.

She was 87.

She died on Sunday after a long illness.  Her husband was mayor from 1988 to 1989.

Mrs Ndlovu was born in 1929 at Gwanda hospital. She attended Gobadema boarding school before moving to Dadaya Mission and then Usher Institute where she trained as a domestic science teacher.  She later taught at various schools in rural Matabeleland including at Ngungumbani. She then moved to Bulawayo.

Her first job in the city was at Mtshede Primary School in Njube. However, she had to return to rural teaching following the birth of her last child.

This was according to the laws of the colonial regime at the time that required African teachers to reapply for their jobs following maternity leave.

More often than not, this reapplications would result in them being reassigned to rural schools.

After her stint at Ngungumbani, Mrs Ndlovu worked at Mpopoma Secondary School where she was among the first batch of educators to teach domestic science. Thereafter, she worked for Bulawayo City Council for many years as a home economics trainer at Pumula women’s club. She trained women in catering skills, including weaving, basketry and baking.

She worked at Esikhoveni Training Centre in Esigodini for a few years before moving to Hillside Teachers’ Training College from where she retired.
Mrs Ndlovu also served as project officer for the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa  (UCCSA).

Despite her contribution as an educationist, her real passion was reserved for her activities around her church, UCCSA.

In 1991 she was ordained as a lay pastor, a role she played until the time of her death.

She will be buried tomorrow at Lady Stanley Cemetery. A church service, to be held at the UCCSA  Church in Njube will precede the burial.

Mourners are gathered at Number 2 Humphreys Road, Orange Groove, Northvale, Bulawayo.-@AuxiliaK.