Source: The Chronicle – Breaking news
Leonard Ncube, leonard.ncube@chronicle.co.zw
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has mourned the death of Chief Shana III of Jambezi in Hwange, Matabeleland North, who will be buried at his rural home on Saturday.
Born Zondani Jonah Neluswi on July 1, 1940, Chief Shana III died at Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo early on Sunday after a long illness. He was 83.
His body was expected to be transferred from Bulawayo to Hwange where it will be kept until burial day.
In his condolence message, President Mnangagwa also announced the granting of a State-assisted funeral to the late chief, as well as the late Nyaradzo Group chaplain, Reverend Ellison Kamupira.
President Mnangagwa said he received with deep sadness news of the unexpected passing away of the two leaders.
He said Chief Shana stood as a towering figure whose services went beyond the immediate jurisdiction of his chieftaincy to encompass the National Council of Chiefs, which he served with distinction for many years. At the Senate, the President said the chief gave his utmost in ensuring proper legislative balance and blend between modernity and traditional values and identity.
“A diligent proponent of Government development programmes through devolution, the chief always lived to his community even as he undertook and fulfilled national duties,” he said.
“He will be sadly missed by all, more keenly so by his immediate subjects and those of us in Government who interacted with him regularly in running affairs of our nation,” said President Mnangagwa.
“On behalf of Government, my family and on my behalf, I wish to express my deepest heartfelt condolences to the Shana family on the saddest loss.
The late Chief Shana
“Government has decided to honour these two great men by extending State assistance and support towards all funeral expenses.”
Yesterday, the Shana family said the body was being moved from Mater Dei Hospital mortuary to Hwange Colliery Hospital mortuary.
“The body will be leaving shortly to Hwange where we will leave it at the Colliery mortuary as we proceed home. We will once again come to take him for burial,” said the family in a statement.
“His royal highness will be buried on Saturday the 18th of May at his village in Jambezi.”
The Shana family has said it lost a father who was pro-development and led his people with dignity.
Meanwhile, condolences continue to pour to the Shana family with people from all walks of life in the province describing Chief Shana as a leader who segregated no one.
President of the National Council of Chiefs, Chief Mtshane Khumalo, has described Chief Shana III as an icon of traditional leadership in the country. Chief Shana III did his primary education in Jambezi and St Mary’s Lukosi where he finished Standard 6.
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 chair of the provincial assembly in Matabeleland North. He also served as a COPAC member.
Chief Shana III is survived by wife, whom he married in 1963, eight children, 23 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
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