Swazi Observer

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UNESWA LECTURER DIES OF COVID-19

By Andile Nsibande | 2021-01-22

Mbabane -A UNESWA lecturer and former Vice Principal at Ngwane Teachers Training College has died of COVID-19 complications.

Dr Mzomba Dludlu (50) was attached to the Institute of Distance Education of the University of Eswatini when he met his death.

He died on Wednesday while undergoing treatment at the Manzini Clinic, his family said. The death was confirmed as being from COVID-19. A medical practitioner who was attending to Dludlu reportedly called his wife Zanele, to inform her that her husband's condition had deteriorated.

He was later declared dead upon the arrival of his wife. pandemic Dludlu's death come as COVID-19 cases were rising across the country, with the pandemic taking a significant toll on public figures and intellectuals, as many have been taken by the dreaded disease.

Among these are the Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini, Minister of Public Service Christian Ntshangase, former cabinet minister Winnie Magagula, and as well as his former colleague at the Ngwane College, ex-Minister of ICT Dumsani Ndlangamandla, to mention but a few.

Dludlu was well regarded by students, colleagues and administration at his former institution despite having left around July last year to join UNESWA. Former students responded to a social media post announcing his death with memories and condolences to his family.

"My former Vice Principal, I mourn his loss. role model “He was my role model,” wrote one of his former students at the college. Another devastated mourner wrote: "Oh my, one of my favourite agriculture teachers at Salem High." Ngwane college Principal Dr Amos Mahlalela said he was still struggling to come to terms with Dr Dludlu's demise.

He mentioned that Dludlu had been an integral part of the institution for years and that his commitment and dedication had contributed immensely to the college's development. Dludlu, a father of three children, began his career as a teacher, teaching in various schools across the country like Salem High before moving on to join Ngwane College as a lecturer.

He later became the institution's Vice Principal. "I was talking to his wife and we were very shocked and devastated by what happened. We are very sad to lose someone of his calibre," said Dr Mahlalela.

His wife was inconsolable when contacted yesterday. She referred further comments to a family member, who announced that Dr Dludlu's funeral will be held on Sunday morning at his parental home Ngololweni, in the Shiselweni region.

The late academic is survived by his wife and three children.

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