Bosso- Highlanders Football Club and the wider Matabeleland community are mourning the loss of one of the team’s most dedicated supporters, Lister Dube, who passed away in her sleep on Tuesday morning at the age of 68.
Dube, affectionately known in football circles for her unwavering passion for “Bosso,” had been a loyal fan of the Bulawayo-based club for more than five decades. Her home in Natisa, Kezi, stood as a living tribute to the team she loved, with its gate wall painted with two Highlanders club logos and a large Bosso flag fluttering proudly for all to see. For many in the community, the homestead had become a landmark, a place that symbolised her devotion to the club and the values it represents.
According to her cousin, Agnes Siziba, Dube had been battling a spinal condition that required surgery. “She passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday morning. She had been unwell for some time, and we were in the process of arranging treatment,” Siziba said.
Born in 1957, Dube’s love for Highlanders began in 1972, a time when the club was already deeply entrenched in the cultural and sporting identity of Bulawayo and the surrounding regions. Her passion grew even stronger during the late 1970s and early 1980s, when her neighbourhood of Makokoba began producing some of the greatest talents in the club’s history. This included the legendary Madinda Ndlovu, followed later by his equally celebrated brothers Adam and Peter. Their rise to stardom only deepened her pride in being part of the Highlanders family.
“Bosso was in her blood,” Siziba said. “She followed the team through good times and bad. She spoke of the players as if they were her own children.”
But Dube’s life was about more than football. She was a humanitarian in her own right, dedicating much of her time and resources to caring for others. At her home in Natisa, she looked after 17 children, providing them with food, shelter, and access to education. Many of these children were from disadvantaged backgrounds, and Dube took it upon herself to ensure they had the same opportunities as others.
Bosso Mourns Passing of Devoted Superfan Lister Dube
“She said when she dies, Highlanders should be notified. She loved Bosso and appreciated children a great deal. She lived with 17, helping them with their education and welfare,” Siziba recalled. “Her generosity was unmatched. She believed that a community’s strength lay in how it took care of its children.”
Her passing has left a void not only in the Highlanders fan base but also in the lives of the children she cared for and the community she supported. Local residents described her as a woman of warmth, humour, and unshakable loyalty — whether it was to her football club or to the people around her.
Dube’s death comes at a time when Highlanders FC is enjoying a resurgence in form, and some fans have expressed sadness that she will not be able to witness the team’s ongoing campaign. Messages of condolence have already begun pouring in from supporters, former players, and club officials. Many have taken to social media to share photos of her home, adorned with its iconic Bosso imagery, as a tribute to her lifelong dedication.
Club insiders have indicated that Highlanders may send representatives to her funeral, in recognition of her extraordinary commitment to the team. In the past, the club has honoured supporters who have gone above and beyond in their loyalty, and Dube’s name is likely to be remembered among that special group.
In a sport often defined by rivalries, Dube’s story stands as a reminder of the deep connections football can forge between individuals and their communities. Her life encapsulated what it means to be more than just a fan — she was a custodian of the club’s spirit, a mentor to young people, and a proud ambassador of Matabeleland’s football culture.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised, but mourners are expected to gather in Natisa to celebrate her life and pay their respects. The children she raised, now young men and women, are also expected to play a central role in the proceedings, honouring the woman who gave them not just shelter, but love, guidance, and hope for a better future.
As the Bosso family prepares to say goodbye, many will remember her famous words to friends and relatives: “When I’m gone, make sure Highlanders knows.” It was a statement that summed up the inseparable bond between Lister Dube and her beloved club — a bond that, even in death, will not be forgotten.
For Highlanders FC, the passing of Lister Dube is more than the loss of a supporter; it is the farewell to a lifelong champion of the team’s identity and values. Her spirit will live on every time the Bosso flag waves, every time the drums beat in the stands, and every time the team takes to the pitch in pursuit of victory.
