Funds raised to repatriate remains to Zimbabwe after fatal crash

The much-loved carer was returning home from work when his car collided with a truck in Barnhill outside Castledermot
Funds raised to repatriate remains to Zimbabwe after fatal crash

Nkosana Sibanda who died in a fatal road crash Monday 19 August

MORE than €8,200 has been raised to help the family of a father of five who was killed instantly in a car crash last Monday.

Nkosana Sibana was returning home from working as a carer on Monday morning when his car collided with a truck in Barnhill outside Castledermot, killing him instantly.

Nkosana was originally from Zimbabwe and came to Ireland in 2017. He’d been living in Baltinglass since 2022 with his wife Cingo and children, Maria (18), Priscilla (15), Michael (13), Malven (10) and two-year-old Miracle.

His devastated sister Mthandazo Sibanda set up a GoFundMe page to help the family cover the cost of bringing his remains back to his home in Zimbabwe, where his mother still lives.

‘Your generosity will allow us to give Nkosana Sibanda the dignified farewell he deserves, surrounded by the love of family and friends back home', said Mthandazo. 

Donations came pouring in after the fundraising appeal was set up, with the target being €10,000 to help cover the flights and funeral costs.

One of his co-workers paid tribute to him on the GoFundMe page saying: ‘Hope you get the best bed in heaven. It was a pleasure to work alongside you. You always had a great big smile every time I saw you.’ Baltinglass Town AFC donated to the fund, while condolences were paid by Baltinglass GAA Club, where Nkosana’s son Michael plays.

His friend Prince Belunda described Nkosana as a “very humble man” who was devoted to his family.

“Nkosana was a very good guy. He really loved his family and worked hard to provide for them,” Prince told The Nationalist.

Nkosana was a deeply religious man and was a preacher in The Zion Church in Clondalkin, where his family and friends held a 24-hour vigil for him over the weekend. His community are comforting his wife Cingo and his children, who are struggling to come to terms with their loss.

Gardaí are investigating the fatal crash and are appealing for dashcam footage and information from the public. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kildare Garda Station on 045 527730, the garda confidential line on 1800 666111 or any garda station.

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