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Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
NATIONAL University of Science and Technology lecturer Lawton Hikwa, who died in Bulawayo on Sunday, will be cremated in line with his expressed wish, his family has said. Hikwa, 50, died hours after admission to Mater Dei Hospital following respiratory complications.

His brother and family spokesperson, Oliver Hikwa, said it was the late lecturer’s wish to be cremated. “We all know that he said he wanted to be cremated when he dies. We’re following his will. Even our mother who is still alive knows that. We’ll do exactly as he said,” said Oliver.

He could not immediately comment on where the ashes would be kept but said members of the public will have an opportunity to pay their last respects at a funeral service that will be held at St Jones Anglican Church in the city tomorrow at 4PM.“Everything for the public will be done at St Jones Anglican Church. After that it will be left for us the family,” Oliver said adding that Hikwa’s death had left a huge gap in the family.

He said even though Hikwa was the youngest in a family of five, he was the leader and the face of the family who on many occasions became its spokesperson as he was very eloquent.

“He was the last born in a family of five. He was quite intelligent right from the start. That’s why he achieved all those things in his life. As young as he was, he was a unifier who quickly came up with solutions whenever we had problems as a family,” said Oliver.

Yesterday, academics mourned Hikwa.

Nust vice-chancellor Professor Lindela Ndlovu said the university would be poorer without him.

“Dr Hikwa was an intellectual and a good administrator. He had been dean of communication for quite some time. He was meticulous in everything he did.

“The results he presented before the academic board were always perfect,” said Prof Ndlovu.

He said Hikwa was behind several developmental projects for the improvement of the Faculty of Communication and Information Science.

“Because of his experience, he is irreplaceable. They might get another dean but they’ll not get a dean with his level of experience,” said Prof Ndlovu.

He said Hikwa was known not only in academia but also in political circles.

Prof Ndlovu said it was unfortunate that Hikwa died at a time when he was in the process of writing a book.

Lupane State University’s librarian, Sheilla Ndlovu, said the information and library science sector had lost a great mentor who was always available to share his knowledge. “He was an epitome of professionalism, an excellent librarian, a great mentor who was always ready to share his knowledge with younger librarians in the field of library and information sciences,” said Ndlovu.

Zanu PF spokesperson Cde Simon Khaya Moyo yesterday sent a message of condolence to Hikwa’s family, describing him as a pronounced academic.

“Dr Hikwa was a man of purpose endowed with impressive intellectual skills, immense humility, a luminary and indeed a man of destiny. He has departed too early just as his colleague Dr McClean Bhala, the then Vice-Chancellor of Lupane State University, not long ago. Bukalanga Gonda (the Kalanga has gone),” said Cde Khaya-Moyo.

He said Hikwa would be missed for his witty character that he used to tackle tribal and regional issues. “Besides his sense of humour, he put his pen to good use by articulating the values of unity, peace and development and the scourge of tribalism and regionalism. He belonged to all humanity and Zimbabwe is poorer with his absence,” he said.

Hikwa is survived by his wife and three daughters.

Mourners are gathered at number 6 Ivegil Road, Morningside, Bulawayo.