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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Reporter

ENTUMBANE suburb in Bulawayo is named after Entumbane Hill where King Mzilikazi’s bones lie, renowned historian, Pathisa Nyathi told Saturday Chronicle.

The name is befitting as the suburb is home to some famous sons and daughters who have raised the city’s flag nationally, regionally and internationally. Some people might not know some of these Entumbane boys and girls.

This is the suburb that gave us Achuzi, a kwaito band formed by Unity ‘‘Mauzah’’ Moyo in 1996. The group was an instant success in the city and later beyond the country’s borders. Emarabini, the country’s 2002 Zimbabwe Music Awards video of the year was ‘‘made’’ in Entumbane by its very own son — Jeys Marabini born Majahawodwa Ndlovu.

Other musicians from Entumbane are Ernest Masongela and the late gospel artiste Rivonia Khumalo.
The suburb is also home to celebrity twins Jesta and Violet Mabaisa.

Owner and proprietor of upmarket Bulawayo nightspots, Zarah Lounge, Club Cosmopolitan and Copa Cubana, Phathisani Nkomo is an Entumbane boy.

Renowned actor and writer Bhekilizwe ‘‘AK’’ Ndlovu who was the lead actor in the 2002 drama series Amakorokoza is also from the suburb. Ndlovu recently launched his inaugural book, Sh*t Consciousness.

Remember Gugulethu FC and New Orleans FC? Both women football clubs are from Entumbane.
Gugulethu FC was under the guidance of Eugene Dube, another respected figure from the suburb. While New Orleans’ squad was made up of players from other suburbs, it was owned and run by the late Harveson Masilela who hailed from Entumbane.

Famous women players to emerge from Entumbane include the duo of former Mighty Warriors players Fungai Nyamukutwa and Nobuhle Majika who was part of the history-making national team that participated at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

Mpopoma High School sports director James Rugwevera, one of the best Mathematics teachers in Bulawayo, is a proud Entumbane product.

 

Entumbane produced a number of sports persons including football stars.
The name that quickly comes to mind is that of former Highlanders and Amazulu coach Cosmos ‘‘Tsano’’ Zulu.
The legendary Zulu has over 50 years of football experience that has seen him being idolised.

Highlanders’ legend Gift Lunga Snr and his son Ray ‘‘Ndorindori’’ Lunga are Entumbane residents. So is former Bosso forward Patrick ‘‘Mboma’’ Mpofu.

Former Masvingo and Hwange midfield enforcer Oswald Cargo Sibanda and his younger brother, 2010 Zimbabwe Soccer Star of the Year Charles Sibanda, are both Entumbane boys as well as another midfield genius Mtshumayeli Moyo.

Former Bantu Rovers, Hwange and Bulawayo Chiefs winger Fortune ‘‘Fokoza’’ Ncube, the founder of Fortune Fokoza Ncube Foundation Football Tournament hails from Entumbane.

The list would not be complete without mentioning rugby icon George ‘‘Rollo’’ Mukorera. Former Chronicle Sports Editor Lovemore Dube, Chronicle Senior Sports Reporter Ricky Zililo and Star FM radio’s newsreader, producer and presenter and popular weddings master of ceremony Mkhululi Ncube are all Entumbane boys.

For those who want to visit places of entertainment with some nice cold beers, the suburb’s popular legal joints are Pick and Talk, koMthunzi, owned by Highlanders board secretary Mathew Sibanda and African Sports bar popularly known as koGlad while for those who like other places, you may visit koMadam Chichi or ReDo. — @skhumoyo2000