THE Acting President, Dr Constantino Chiwenga, has sent a message of condolences to the Chiweshe family following the death of veteran mbira maestro, Mbuya Stella Chiweshe yesterday in Harare.
We publish below the Acting President’s condolence message in full:
I learnt, with a deep sense of sorrow, of the sad passing of one of Zimbabwean music’s biggest ambassadors and Mbira Dzavadzimu music proponent Mbuya Stella Rambisai Nekati Chiweshe.
Mbuya Stella Rambisai Nekati Chiweshe passed on at the age of 77 after leading a life which saw her rise to global prominence as a Mbira Musician.
On behalf of His Excellency President Dr ED Mnangagwa, my own behalf and the rest of Government, I extend my sincere heartfelt condolences to the Chiweshe and Reich families on this sad loss. We share the loss with the Chiweshe and Reich families and all who were dear to the music icon.
Mbuya Chiweshe played a huge role in the preservation, and celebration as well as in taking Zimbabwean culture onto the global stage through her Mbira Dzavadzimu music.
Today the rest of the world is acquainted with mbira music and Zimbabwean culture thanks, in part, to the works of Mbuya Chiweshe.
Having started her musical journey as far back as the 1960s at a time the colonial Government frowned at the mbira instrument which they viewed as an instrument of rebellion and one of spiritual inspiration towards the attainment of independence, Mbuya Chiweshe’s music played a role in inspiring freedom fighters.
As Government, we view her international success marked by international music awards not only as recognition of her talent but as a celebration of Zimbabwean culture.
Thanks to the immortality of music, the world will continue to celebrate Zimbabwean culture beyond the life of Mbuya Chiweshe and as Zimbabweans, we can only be proud of this global acclaim that she has and will continue to bring us.
As we continue to strive to preserve and celebrate our culture, we will surely tap from Mbuya Chiweshe’s music.
Let me also take this opportunity to thank His Excellency the President Dr ED Mnangagwa for granting this great ambassador of our culture and our music a state-assisted funeral.
We are poorer without Mbuya Stella Rambisai Nekati Chiweshe.
May her soul rest in eternal peace.
Dr CDGN Chiwenga Acting President of The Republic of Zimbabwe.
