ONE of Zimbabwe’s most celebrated authors, Charles Mungoshi has died. He was 71.
His death was confirmed by the family in a statement Saturday morning.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing away of our dearly beloved father, Dr Charles Mungoshi (71).
“He had been ill for ten years, from a neurological condition to which he succumbed this morning, at Parirenyatwa Hospital,” read the statement.
Mungoshi, a prolific and multi-award winning novelist, poet, short story writer and actor was internationally recognised and celebrated.
He published 18 books, which include Waiting for the Rain (1975), Ndiko Kupindana Kwemazuva(1975), Makunun’unu Maodza Moyo (1970), The Milkman Doesn’t Only Deliver Milk (1981), Inongova Njake Njake(1980), Coming of the Dry Season (1972) Branching Streams Flow in the Darkness (2013).
Among other accolades, Mungoshi twice won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize of Best Book in Africa and was subsequently invited to meet the Queen of England, Queen Elizabeth.
One of his poems was curetted by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as a permanent display as public art at their new headquarters in Seattle, Washington, in US, 2011.
In 2003, he was conferred an honorary doctorate degree by the University of Zimbabwe, after winning multiple awards which include Zimbabwe’s 75 best books where he appeared in the top five lists in both Shona and English categories.
Said the family, “We were honoured to have Dr Mungoshi, a quiet, deeply loving and caring husband to Jesesi, Father to Farai, Graham, Nyasha, Charles and Tsitsi and a grandfather to 7 young and lovely grandchildren.
“Funeral details will be shared in due course.”
