By Wandile Dludlu
Africa-Press – Eswatini. We are all born into this world with different missions and paths to carve, censored by broken dreams and abandoned assignments.
The environment, circumstances and fortunes of time, not only nurture but shape the fire inside us to a glowing splint that blossom beyond our personal sphere of life.
We affect as we infect the human corridors of influence around us, thus create a new and better or worse world for others to enjoy or endure.
Bishop Ncamiso Louis Ndlovu’s life and laborious human journey had all seasons typical of his glorious yet illustrious catalogue of hectic life.
This precious marble stone of the sacred mountains of Gilead, you lilly of the valleys of Nkhaba where on the 15th March 1945 you sprung to give hope to a war torn and divided world.
This ordinary boy hip hopped the hills and thick forests of Mabhukubhuku in the south, this was the early life and community grooming that mattered more in your life journey later.
We cherish moments to date as students from all campuses I dare say on their behalf when bartered, broken, hungry, thirsty, traumatized by his Majesty’s Operational Support Service (OSSU) or Umbutfo Swaziland Defense Force (USDF) as the army would have a field day over us as students for merely raising valid deficits in the material and substantive wellbeing of our education journey
This would be the time almost every academic year, where it became natural to think of one place as refuge, the Bishop’s House.
It’s here where nurses would take care of the wounded, hungry fed, hope restored and more than anything safety guaranteed from the prowling wild hyenas, salivating bloodthirsty creatures hovering from corner to corner ,but won’t dare set their dirty feet in the holy of hollies courtesy of the Catholic church under the leadership of you Bishop Ndlovu.
When the people of Macentjeni and KaMkhweli 50km outsiders of Manzini even against the favourable supreme court judgement were brutally kicked out of their homes in the twilight hours of November 28 in the year 2001, it was men and women of God under your capable hands that the church had a resounding voice against such cruelty of King Mswati and his family together with his Government.
What set you apart, amongst many acts of honesty, sacrifice and principle people’s Bishop Ndlovu, that many may never know, is that one day, so incensed with rage and compassion for the poor, you alone drove to Nkoyoyo Palace, Mswati’s gold plated paragon of wealth and asked to see the King.
Soldiers typically created false excuses to shield their boss. Historians will write how you calmly pull out your sleeper couch to assure the gun wielding souls that until he comes you will sleep right there.
The soldiers shell shocked and perplexed rushed to report that a man of honor is here.
The Jesus activism could not permit you to seat behind the warm walls of the cathedral whilst the poor were harassed and treated as less human beings,for these were the very apex of God’s creation.
The first and last time, the clergy put on their robs to lead a march in the streets in demand of clarity over the “Freedom of Religion” clause in the 2005 constitution, it was under your leadership Bishop Ndlovu.
What a leadership and a generation of the church alive in the fullness of God. We will tell our kids under the skylight that, once upon a time we had an Elephant that stood for the truth beyond pulpit rhetorics.we will tell the children of the massacred june 29 Emaswati that God once blessed us with greatness clothed in humility reminiscent of the son of the carpenter of Nazareth.
We shall never forget the simplicity nor the tenacious resolve last witnessed by the children of Israel when rescued from the harsh hand of Pharaohs.
Sleep well son of Make Mphungane Paulino Dlamini a sheer lioness herself, for you’ve loved the poor, stood up against those drunk with power, even the palace feared to set their feet in your last wedding dear Bishop.
We were neither Catholic nor Evangelical before your gazing eye of the eagle child of God.Pass our greetings to your mentors like Bishop Mandlenkhosi Zwane. What a generation of selflessness and purpose!!!.
