Angela Chimbetu laid to rest

Jonathan Mbiriyamveka Entertainment Reporter
Simon Chimbetu’s widow Angela, who died on Saturday at Chitungwiza Central Hospital, was yesterday buried at Warren Hills Cemetery in Harare.
Angela (39) died of pneumonia barely a month after she was taken ill. Relatives, friends and other musicians turned up for the burial where speaker after speaker spoke glowingly about Angela.

She is said to have been the uniting force behind the Chimbetus.
In his eulogy, Media, Information and Publicity Minister Webster Shamu, who is also patron of the Zimbabwe Union of Musicians, hailed the Angela for her endless love which kept the family intact.

Allan Chimbetu, a brother of the late Simon, thanked everyone for their support and prayers during the time of bereavement.
Musician Alick Macheso who arrived at the burial with his two wives Nyadzisai and Tafadzwa, described the death of Angela as a sad loss not only to the Chimbetus but also to the music fraternity.

“We had grown to love her as a relative and we were shocked by the death because we had hoped that she would be able to recover. I got a call from one of my wives when I was in Victoria Falls and I was really touched. Normally when a patient is admitted in hospital you expect them to recover but sadly that was not the case with maiguru,” he said.

He said from time to time he would seek sound advice from the late Angela.
Dancer Monica Chikasha aka Sele Mama said while death was never timely they were celebrating Angela’s life and hoped that she had joined her late husband. “As friends of the late Angela we are not mourning as such because we believe she has reunited with her late husband. So we are celebrating her life and believe she is in a better place,” she said.

Music promoter Partson Chimbodza described Angela as a caring mother who was there for her family.
Chimbodza said they would continue working with the Chimbetus to ensure that they remain united.

Pitshou Lumiere of Diamond Musica said the death of Angela came as a surprise as they had finished recording a duet with Suluman called Amai.
Ratidzai Teclar Marasha, Biggie Tembo’s widow and a member of Musicians Widows Association, of which Angela was a member, said she had lost a close friend and a confidante.

“We were close and she was an active member of our association. We have lost one of the founding members of the association,” she said.
Angela is survived by her son Kudzai.