The family of the late Zanu Ndonga leader Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole, whose wife Vesta Saungweme Sithole died last week, has refuted claims they requested Zanu PF to declare her a national heroine.
Report by Wonai Masvingise This follows reports that the family wrote a letter to Manicaland Zanu PF provincial chairman Mike Madiro appealing to the party to accord her the recognition given to former liberation war fighters.
Sithole’s son Sifiso, who said he was the family spokesperson, yesterday distanced himself from the alleged request.
He said the Zanu PF founder’s family had decided not to take the lead in preparations for Vesta’s burial because they regarded her as their father’s second wife.
“For the record, the late Reverend Sithole has two siblings who, according to our Ndau tradition, are the elders and whose counsel is sought on all matters relating to the family,” Sifiso said.
“The late reverend in turn is survived by three children (Siphikelelo, Zibonele and myself, Sifiso) from his first marriage to Alice Canaan Mafu Sithole.” “The late Vesta Saungweme Sithole is survived by four children from a previous marriage to the late Jackson Mwakyelele. These children are named Gwalugano, Tapuwa, Rufaro and Ndimyake Mwakeyelela” “Given the fact that the family did not request national hero status for the late Reverend Sithole from any political parties in 2000 and thereafter, we are baffled as to how and why anyone would state that the family has requested that his second (let alone his first) wife be conferred with such.”
“The lodging of such an outlandish request with the Zanu PF provincial chairman for Manicaland unashamedly dishonours the integrity and legacy of the Sithole family,” he said.
Vesta died in the United States last Thursday after a long battle with cancer. Her body is expected in Zimbabwe on Friday for burial.
