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Chief Sivalo

Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Reporter
HUNDREDS of mourners thronged Chief Solomon Sivalo Mahlangu’s homestead in Nkayi District on Sunday to pay their last respects to the country’s longest serving traditional leader.Chief Sivalo succumbed to pneumonia aged 97 on Monday last week at Bulawayo’s Hillside Premier Hospital where he had been admitted for a day.

Ministers Dr Obert Mpofu, Cde Cain Mathema and Cde Sithembiso Nyoni and her husband Peter, Zanu-PF Matabeleland North provincial chairman Cde Richard Moyo, Chief’s Council president Chief Fortune Charumbira and his deputy Chief Mtshane Khumalo, provincial administrator Latiso Dlamini, one of King Lobengula’s descendents Peter Zwide kaLanga Khumalo, service chiefs, government officials, and fellow chiefs from the province attended the burial.

Sorrow was written on everyone’s face as different speakers described Chief Sivalo, who was installed as chief in 1940, as a fountain of wisdom among the traditional leaders in the country.

Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister, Dr Mpofu said the country was poorer without experienced and elderly chiefs like the late Chief Sivalo.

“Our elderly chiefs are dying and I’m not saying the remaining ones are young but am saying I worked with their fathers while I was still the governor from 2000 to 2005. We were lucky to have had a chief like him,” said Dr Mpofu.

He lamented the treatment being given to chiefs saying more needs to be done to show respect for traditional leaders and enhancing their status.

“Our chiefs have lost the respect they deserve. Let’s do better for them. Let’s treat them with respect, they deserve better. Their royalty is God-given and they are not like politicians who fight over positions. Chiefs have a rare blood, which most of us don’t have,” said Dr Mpofu.

He said Chief Sivalo lived an upright lifestyle, which he said could be the reason why he lived for  97 years.

Cde Nyoni, who is the area MP and also Minister of Small to Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development, said Chief Sivalo’s death was a blow to Nkayi North constituency as the old man was a loving and unifying force.

“I learnt a lot from him. He taught me about forgiveness and I will remember him for that. Let’s remain with that and emulate him. He was a pro-active and polite leader, a unifying force. Chief Sivalo’s death is a loss to the whole community,” Cde Nyoni said.

Chief Charumbira said few people had the blessing and charisma of the late Chief Sivalo who became a chief under the colonial rule for 40 years and continued leading after independence up to the time of this death.

Chief Sikobokobo said Chief Sivalo worked well with all chiefs and his subjects.

The chief is survived by five children, 22 grand children, 35 great grand children and four great great grand children.