Online Reporter
The late Major General (Rtd) Solomon Siziba, whose Chimurenga name was ‘Lebanon Ngazimbi’, passed on at 2 Referral Hospital, Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks in Harare on January 15, following a long illness.
He was born on April 25 1958 in Nhwali, Gwanda District, Matabeleland South Province.
He did his primary education at Nhwali Primary School and then proceeded for his secondary education at Manama Mission School in 1977, which was cut short following the abduction of the whole school by ZIPRA guerrillas in 1977 to Botswana.
Through the spirit of liberating our nation, the late Gen Officer opted to join the liberation struggle rather than returning home when presented with the chance by the settler regime. He then proceeded to Zambia to join the struggle.
He was a ZIPRA cadre who joined the liberation struggle in Zambia.
Some of the cadres who crossed the border with the late Major General include retired Air Chief Marshal Elson Moyo, the late National Hero retired Lieutenant General SB Moyo, Air Vice Marshal Masera, and former CIO deputy director and current Member of Parliament for BeitBridge East, Cde Albert Nguluvhe, among others.
While in Zambia in 1977, he underwent Basic Guerrilla Training at CGT 1 in Kaunga under the current Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General Philip Valerio Sibanda, who was the camp commandant.
On completion of training, he remained in the camp as the assistant to the camp armourer.
He was then appointed the reconnaissance detachment commander and survived the Freedom Camp and Mukushi Camp attacks by Rhodesian Forces in 1978 while at Foxhole Camp.
In 1979, he was selected to undergo training in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Moscow as a reconnaissance officer.
On completion of the course, he was deployed to MTD Solwezi as the reconnaissance detachment commander up to ceasefire.
He was attested into the Zimbabwe National Army and commissioned as an equivalent captain and was appointed adjutant for 18 Infantry Battalion in Kezi.
He deployed to Mozambique with 1 Infantry Brigade during the Mozambique campaign. He also deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo at the SADC Forces Headquarters as the Staff Officer Grade One Personnel during the DRC Campaign.
In 2005, he was appointed a defence attaché in Botswana where he was credited for establishing the Botswana Military Attaché Association (BMAA) and producing its constitution.
He attended the following military courses:
Unit administration
Administration inspection
Officers’ foundation
Junior staff
Command and staff
Military observers’
United Nations military
Military diplomatic
In addition to the above mentioned military courses, he also achieved the following professional qualifications:
Executive course in defence management
Management course for civilian and military peacekeepers
Certificate in performance management
French language
Diplomatic
Diploma in salesmanship
National Intermediate Diploma in business studies
National diploma in human resources management
Higher National Diploma in human resources management
Bachelors of Science in Peace, Conflict and Governance
Masters in Business Administration
He was awarded the following medals for his continued dedication, selfless and exemplary service to the nation:
Liberation Medal – for his contribution towards the Independence of Zimbabwe.
Independence Medal – for his contribution towards the Independence of Zimbabwe.
Ten Years’ Service Medal – for his exemplary service in the Zimbabwe National Army during the first 10 years of its existence.
Long and Exemplary Service Medal – for his exemplary service for continuous 15 years.
Mozambique Campaign Medal – for his contribution towards the restoration of peace and stability in Mozambique.
Democratic Republic of Congo Campaign Medal – for his contribution towards sovereignty of the DRC.
Grand Officer of the Zimbabwe Order of Merit – for distinguishing himself as principled, loyal, dedicated and competent leader
He held the following appointments during his military service:
Adjutant
Company Second in Command
Wing Officer Commanding at Pay and Records
Administrative Staff Officer Grade Three (Personal Services) at Army Headquarters
Administrative Staff Officer Grade Two (Conditions of Service) at Army Headquarters
Staff Officer Grade Two (Careers) at Army Headquarters
Staff Officer Grade One (Policy) at Zimbabwe Defence Forces Headquarters
Staff Officer Grade One (Pay and Conditions of Service) at Zimbabwe Defence Forces Headquarters
Commanding Officer 43 Infantry Battalion
Commanding Officer All Arms Battle School
Administrative Staff Officer Grade One (Personnel Services) at Army Headquarters
Defence Attaché Botswana
Deputy Commander Headquarters 1 Infantry Brigade
Brigadier General Inspectorate Army Headquarters
Other outstanding achievements of the late retired General Officer include the following:
Establishment of the National Prosecuting Authority
Appointed Board Secretary of the National Prosecuting Authority Board
Appointed Director Administration of the National Prosecuting Authority
As we pay our last respects to the late Rtd General Officer, we must not forget the sacrifices that he and other heroes and heroines paid for us to get Zimbabwe free.
It remains a great challenge to us all to defend the values that they stood and fought for.
We must therefore defend Zimbabwe’s independence and sovereignty at all costs taking a leaf from the life of the late retired General Officer.
We must uphold the principles and values that define the efforts of his generation of fighters.
Major General Solomon Siziba will be remembered for his immense contribution to the liberation struggle, standing firm for justice and defending Zimbabwe’s interests in all spheres.
What remains in our minds are the memories of a warm, humble, patriotic, selfless team player whom the nation will dearly miss. Go well Dear Cde, Go well Son of the Soil.
The late retired Major General Solomon Siziba is survived by his two children and several grandchildren.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Lala Ngokuthula Qhawe lama Qhawe
Zorora Murugare Gamba Ramagamba
