Absolom Sikhosana
| Cde Absolom Sikhosana | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Absolom Sikhosana October 26, 1949 Matobo District, Zimbabwe |
| Died | May 15, 2020 (aged 70) United Bulawayo Hospitals |
| Cause of death | Prostate Cancer |
| Resting place | National Heroes Acre |
| Nationality | Zimbabwean |
| Citizenship | Zimbabwean |
| Education | Lozikeyi Primary School |
| Alma mater | Mzilikazi High School |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Years active | 1977-2020 |
| Employer | Zanu PF |
| Known for | Being the Zanu PF National Secretary for Youth Affairs from 2000-2014 (Aged: 51 yrs to 65 yrs). |
| Home town | Bulawayo |
| Predecessor | Josiah Tungamirai |
| Successor | Kudzanai Chipanga |
| Political party | Zanu PF |
| Spouse(s) | Jelina Sikhosana (nee Dube) |
| Children | Thulani, Sakhile, Nqobile, Zibusiso and Mthabisi. |
| Parents |
|
| Family | Edith (late), Ekhathi, Bessy (late), Patrick and Eunor |
Absolom Sikhosana was a Zimbabwean liberation war veteran, Zanu PF politburo member and acting Bulawayo provincial chairperson.[1] He was the former Zanu PF Secretary for Youth Affairs from 2000-2014 during the late President Robert Mugabe's reign. He has been declared a national hero.[2]
Background
Absolom Sikhosana was born on 26 October 1949 in Matobo District under Chief Gareth Nzula Masuku in Matabeleland South Province. He was married to Jelina Dube Sikhosana and the couple had five children. He was the Secretary for Youth Affairs during the late President Robert Mugabe's reign. He was later replaced by Kudzanai Chipanga who later got fired after the November 2017 military coup.[3] He also served as the chairman of the Zimbabwe-China Friendship Association.
Education
He attended primary school education at Nduna, White Waters and Lozikeyi Primary Schools from 1956 to 1964, and later went to Mgandeni Secondary School (now Mzilikazi High School) for his Ordinary Level studies from 1965 to 1968. He undertook private studies and attained a certificate in salesmanship with the Rapid Results College. In 1983, he obtained a Diploma in Industrial and Public Relations from Ruskin College in the United Kingdom.
Career
Between 1970-1975, Sikhosana worked as a Tally Clerk for the Bulawayo Clothing Factory. From 1976-1977 he was elected Regional Organiser for Rhodesia Clothing and Garment Workers Union. In 1977 he left Zimbabwe for Zambia to join the liberation struggle and he was at the Camp of General Training (CGT) II (Kanyuchi Camp) there he was trained as an Infantry Cadre. On completion of the Basic Military Training, he was assigned to the ZAPU Trade Union Department under the leadership of Aaron Ndlovu. His main duties in the Trade Union Department were to mobilise, galvanise and coordinate the involvement of trade unions back home in the liberation effort.
In 1982 he was elected as the Organising Secretary of the Bulawayo Municipal Workers Union. In 1983 he was elected the National Secretary for ZAPU wing. He was instrumental in uniting the Zanu and Zapu structures from 1987 to 1989 after the signing of the Unity Accord in 1987, and in 1989 he was Youth Publicity and Secretary for Zanu PF.
The year 1992 saw him being seconded to the Public Service International Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland as the education coordinator for the English speaking Africa covering Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. He served Zimbabwe well in Switzerland and after the successful stint he returned home in 1997.
Death
He died on 15 May 2020 at the United Bulawayo Hospitals where he had been admitted since 11 May 2020 when he succumbed to prostate cancer and he was 71 years old at the time of his death.[4] He was buried at the National Heroes Acre on 20 May 2020.
References
- ↑ Richard Muponde/Darlington Mwashita, [1], Newsday, Published: 18 May, 2020, Accessed: 18 May, 2020
- ↑ [2], Star FM News, Published: 16 May, 2020, Accessed: 16 May, 2020
- ↑ [3], ZimEye, Published: 16 May, 2020, Accessed: 16 May, 2020
- ↑ [4], The Chronicle, Published: 16 May, 2020, Accessed: 16 May, 2020
