As if the prevailing harsh economic atmosphere is not enough to dampen the vibe in the poorly funded and structured creative and cultural sector, the situation has been worsened by the untimely death of vanguards who spearheaded a number of revolutions to get the sector where it is today.
2019 started with the sad passing on of Dr. Oliver Mtukudzi who was pronounced a national hero.
Just as arts enthusiasts and the world at large were getting to terms with the demise of the legend, the literary sector decided to keep tears of sorrow flowing on our cheeks as a renowned writer, Charles Mungoshi passed away on February 16.
Still grappling to come to terms with all that was happening, the continent was once again crippled with news of the death of inimitable jazz act, Dorothy Masuku, who passed away on February 23.
Now having literally staggered into the eighth month of the year, enduring the austere government policies, another disaster strikes!
Yesterday, the nation and the continent at large was left dumbfounded by the news that the lion of Gutu, Stephen Joel Chifunyisebhad died at the age of 70.
A statement by the family, says the renowned theatre practitioner and policymaker in the creative and cultural industry died after a brave battle with cancer.
“Stephen represented the best of whatever he had set his mind at yet remained humble, good-humored and accommodating regardless of who sought his counsel or friendship. Stephen was equally comfortable among artists whom he regarded as his peers, government ministers, and other officials when he was the director of arts and culture and when he was the permanent secretary for the Ministry of Education, Arts, Sports, and Culture. He was at home in the vaunted environs of leading world bodies such as UNESCO where he was a respected expert on culture, heritage, conventions, and policies,” reads a portion from a press statement issued by the family on Tuesday morning.
The statement further reads as follows:
“It is to his credit that through his generosity, Stephen has left a colossal legacy as a globally celebrated playwright with a remarkable output of performed and published plays which are over 70. Under his aegis, the Mbende Jerusarema dance was declared an intangible cultural heritage. In the 1980s, Stephen played a leading role in the introduction of Theater for Development in Zimbabwe. At the same time, he together with another iconic late figure Ngugi wa Mirii and friends, was instrumental in the formation of the Zimbabwe Association of Community Theatres (ZACT) which saw an exponential growth of community theatre in many of Zimbabwe’s high-density suburbs. Stephen J Chifunyise was Chairman of the 1st Frontline Film Festival which culminated into the Southern African Film Festival.
Together with his longtime friend and theatre accomplice, Robert Mclaren, they set up the vibrant CHIPAWO which is a safe, creative space for children and young people. Many generations of Zimbabwean creatives have been incubated at CHIPAWO.
Stephen Chifunyise dedicated his life to his craft, his culture and his African people. Beginning in Zimbabwe to Zambia and the rest of the world, the man meant different things to different people. He was a fountain of knowledge and wisdom. As the lion roars no more, let us celebrate his life and the many gifts he has left us for that is the best way he would want us to remember and honor him. Stephen’s wake is at 41 Edinburgh Road, Vainona, Harare.”
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