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Sipepisiwe Moyo/Mbulelo Mpofu

The late Zvikomborero Sibanda’s body has arrived at the family home in Mpopoma, Bulawayo, where it is lying in state ahead of the burial service at Athlone Cemetery tomorrow.

The burial service is scheduled for 8am at the Salvation Army Mpopoma branch.

Chronicle Showbiz visited the family home, where neighbours, friends, and relatives had gathered to bid farewell to the late veteran broadcaster.

Her friends, who spoke to the publication, shared that Sibanda – popularly known as Kombo or Zviko – was a kind and considerate person who was always there for them in both good and bad times.

Barbara Samudzi Katsande, who met Zviko in high school and later lived with her in South Africa, reflected on their friendship.

“We were together in South Africa, and I never thought she’d leave us so soon,” Katsande said.

“I’ll always miss the moments I spent with her. She was a kind friend who was always there. She had a big heart and was very caring.”

Moreblessing, another close friend, shared how deep their bond was.

“I first met Zviko on an airplane to China. Ever since then, we became close. I didn’t only lose a friend, but a mother to my son, as she always preferred to be called by my son’s name, ‘Mai Gary’.

“Go well, my friend, till we meet again,” she said.

Another friend, Silibaziso Chizwina, described Kombo as a bubbly and full-of-life individual who maintained great working relationships with everyone.

Her high school classmate, Nyasha Museki, explained how much of an influence Kombo was to her.

“In 1993, I transferred from St Francis and Claire Secondary School to SOS Herman Gmeiner Secondary School. Thrust into Form 3A, I met a lot of new friends and classmates, and among them was Zvikomborero Sibanda.

“She was the younger sister of our teacher, Farasina Sibanda. ‘Kombo’, as we used to call her, was a friend to all and an enemy to none. She was ever-smiling, a thorough student who competed with the boys, and an incredibly smart and highly intelligent person.

“She was one of our top students, earning multiple As and passing all her subjects. After our Ordinary Level exams, we parted ways, only for me to later hear that she was studying Journalism at Harare Polytechnic. Soon after, I saw her on television as the Midlands Bureau Chief for ZBC.

“I later ran into her in town, driving a nice Mazda. Casually, I asked where she was working, and she told me she was with Noczim doing PR work. She was truly a torchbearer in terms of career advancement for our classmates,” she said.

Museki also shared that earlier this month, she had texted Kombo to ask about her whereabouts and learnt that she was back in Bulawayo. They had planned to meet in Harare, but that meeting never happened.

“That was our last conversation, and I had no idea she was unwell.”

Public relations specialist Lennox Mhlanga, who has over two decades of experience in the field, described Kombo as a lively person whose personality will be sorely missed.

“Zvikomborero was a very lively and engaging person who made everyone around her feel at ease.

It’s an essential trait in broadcasting to make your interview subjects comfortable. Kombo was a natural at this, which explains why she touched so many lives throughout her career.

“She was an endearing friend and confidante to those in her circle. Even when she was in pain, she kept everyone’s spirits high. She will be deeply missed,” he said.

Zvikomborero Sibanda passed away on Wednesday morning after battling an illness for years. Mourners are gathered at Block 75/2300, Mpopoma.