Chief Shana dies

Source: The Chronicle – Breaking news

 

The late Chief Shana

Leonard Ncube, leonard.ncube@chronicle.co.zw

CHIEF Shana (III) of Jambezi in Hwange, Matabeleland North, who died in Bulawayo yesterday morning, has been described as an icon of traditional leadership across the province and the country at large.

Born Zondani Jonah Neluswi on July 1, 1940, Chief Shana III died at the age of 83 at Mater Dei Hospital where he was admitted for the past month.

He is a former chair of the Chiefs’ Council in Matabeleland North, a member of Parliament and Senator. 

President of the Chiefs Council Chief Mtshane Khumalo of Bubi said Chief Shana was an exemplary leader who occupied a number of senior positions in the province.

“We received the news of his death with sadness as we thought he would recover. He was one of our senior leaders whom we all looked up to in Matabeleland North and you would remember he was provincial chair of the Chiefs Council for about 15 years,” he said.

“He was not a chief for Hwange only but for the whole province and nation as he was also at some point for many years a representative of Chiefs in the Senate. 

“He occupied several senior positions in the province and national level and following his death we have lost so much as traditional leaders,” said Chief Mtshane.

Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo said Chief Shana would not miss any Government activity in his district as he was dedicated to serving the nation.

“It is known how he worked for this country. He was once a provincial chair of the Chiefs Council and represented chiefs in the Senate. His leadership was exemplary not only in Jambezi but across the province,” he said.

Minister Moyo said while the chief’s health had deteriorated when he visited him in hospital, everyone  hoped he was going to recover. 

Funeral arrangements are yet to be communicated as his family was not reachable yesterday. Minister Moyo implored the family to work in liaison with the Ministry of Local Government in making preparations and seeking any Government assistance.

Chairperson of the Chiefs Council in Matabeleland North, Chief Siansali of Binga who is also a Senator, said the death of Chief Shana was a huge loss to the whole traditional leadership fraternity.

Chief Shana III did his primary education in Jambezi and St Mary’s Lukosi where he completed Standard Six.

He joined Hwange Colliery Company as a clerk in 1963 and left the company in 1997 as a community service officer. He was installed Chief Shana III in 1984 and served until his death.

He was a member of Parliament between 2005 and 2008 and Senator between 2008 and 2012.

From 2013 to 2023 he was Chiefs Council provincial chair for Matabeleland North. 

Chief Shana III is survived by wife, eight children, 23 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.