On behalf of the Board, Management, and entire Olympic Family in Zimbabwe, I write to express our deepest sympathies on the passing of Dr Mike Ndubiwa. We find ourselves extremely privileged to have interacted and learnt from such a committed and dedicated leader. He served the sporting community with unparalleled professionalism, providing consistent oversight and guidance, especially at critical transitional times in the history of Zimbabwean sport.
His contribution to the Olympic Committee as a Trustee will always be acknowledged and appreciated for his productive life to the Olympic family in Zimbabwe. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this particularly challenging time.
May his departed soul rest in eternal peace.
Please receive messages of solidarity from colleagues he worked closely with in the past.
Sport is the loser in the passing on of Dr. “Mike” Ndubiwa. But then few knew about his passion for sport and his immense contribution to the success of the All-Africa Games, now the African Game, in Zimbabwe in 1995.
That the 1995 All Africa Games are referred as having taken place “in Zimbabwe” instead of “Harare” made them a historic undertaking. The 1995 Games remain the first and only ones ever to have been organised by a National Olympic Committee. And they remain the only ones ever to have been held in two cities, three if we are to throw in Chitungwiza.
“Mike” was placed in charge of the Bulawayo element of the Games, and he threw in his all, leading a team that was to organise the road cycling, volleyball and basketball using pre-existing facilities such as the exhibition halls in the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair and the public roads.
“Mike”, perhaps the oldest person among the hundreds who volunteered to organise the Games, brought “sanity” to what was essentially a mad house organising committee, calming fraying and frayed nerves in tense board meetings in which he was famous for calling for coffee breaks just as we were getting on each other’s nerves.
But then this was the Mike we had come to know and understand. Early in the formative years of our independence, Dr. Ndubiwa accepted an invitation to be a Trustee of the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee. His calming voice, that near-whisper, steady as you go type, was to become crucial in the background as the new black executives found every reason to clash, sometimes noisily, those they believed represented the old order.
The “teach them a darn lesson” brigade soon understood there was value in understanding the “other side”, if indeed there was one. Dr. Ndubiwa insisted it was just a matter of a different approach to the same problem. This country belonged to all of us. The whites, the blacks, all wanted to represent their country at the Olympics. It was this approach to the selection of the teams that we needed, one where both sides understand each other.
Hamba kahle, Khumalo. We shall always remember you for the professionalism you brought to your job as Town Clerk of koBulawayo, and your fatherly advice to the sometimes hot-headed “revolutionaries” in ZOC who saw every problem in black and white, literally. – Thomas “Tommy” Sithole: ZOC Honorary Life President
He was such an affable elder who was well respected by ZOC members and stakeholders. He played the role of Trustee to perfection. He also played a key role during the annual Bulawayo stakeholders’ meeting where he got the opportunity to address representatives of ZOC affiliates and other stakeholders giving words of encouragement and wisdom. He will be missed dearly. – Robert Mutsauki: ZOC Honorary Life Member
He was a great man who carried authority but authority that made you feel secure and comfortable. As a Patron you found yourself in a place where you needed to do right so as not to tarnish his name and of course that of ZOC. Standards had to be high to associate with him. – Admire Masenda: ZOC President 2006 – 2021
Fond memories of the stately figure that was Dr Ndubiwa: while he exuded ultimate professionalism in the execution of his role as ZOC Trustee, one always drew inspiration and strength in the presence of this ultimate fatherly figure. The guidance and support were well received and retained. Rest in eternal peace – Anna Mguni: ZOC Board and Management 2004 – 2020
It is with deep sorrow and sadness that I learnt of the sad passing of former Bulawayo Town Clerk and Zimbabwe Olympic Committee Trustee Dr Michael Mkanyiso Ndubiwa.
I interacted with Dr Ndubiwa in my days of service at the ZOC (2006 – 2011). What a fatherly figure he was! A true professional, astute leader, a meticulous, time conscious, pleasant, and highly organized character. May His Dear Soul Rest in Eternal Peace in the Hollow of the Lord’s hand – Stanley Mutoya: CEO African Union Sports Council Region 5
