Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
RENOWNED musical mentor Shepherd “Teacher” Chinyani is heartbroken following the death of his beloved wife, Esthery Chinyani, who lost her battle against cancer on Sunday.
She was 63.
Chinyani, himself a cancer patient, publicly disclosed their health struggles in an interview with The Sunday Mail back in May.
Despite her fierce determination to fight the illness, Esthery could not overcome it.
In a deeply emotional interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub, Chinyani expressed his grief. “My wife died on Sunday after bravely battling her illness, leaving a void that is hard to fill,” he lamented.
“We had been together for many years, and losing someone who has stood by you is incredibly difficult. Life will never be the same without her because she was really caring and loving.”
Currently, the family has been busy preparing to give her a befitting burial.
“It is our wish for her body to lie in state in Seke this evening (yesterday) before her burial on Wednesday (today) at Restlands in Dzivaresekwa Extension,” he added. Chinyani’s son, Simba, who plays drums for Progress Chipfumo’s Sounds of the Motherland Band, was equally devastated.
“We are heartbroken. I am currently busy handling the paperwork,” he said, visibly occupied at the funeral wake.
Fellow guitarist “Madzibaba” Nicholas Zakaria, who once lived with the couple in Dzivaresekwa, encouraged Chinyani to seek solace in the Lord.
“Only God can provide comfort in both joyful and challenging times,” he stated. “We cannot prevent death, but when it occurs, we must trust in God, the Comforter and Healer, to intervene. To my brother Chinyani, stay strong during these trying times and always find sanctuary in the Lord.” Madzibaba also praised Esthery as a nurturing mother who consistently preached unity.
“They were a perfect couple, well-regarded by their neighbours. She will be remembered for all the good she did for the community.
“We will certainly miss her motherly love that she shared with everyone in her neighbourhood,” he noted. Similar sentiments were echoed by Alick Macheso, who stayed with Chinyani after leaving Shamva in search of opportunities. “It’s a sad loss to the nation, the Dzivaresekwa community, and the industry as a whole. We are commiserating with the family in these trying times. I pray that God intervenes and comforts the family during these difficult times,” pointed out Macheso. The Orchestra Mberikwazvo camp, represented by the group’s publicist Tichaona Makahamadze, also sent its heartfelt condolences to Chinyani’s family.
“We are commiserating with them, and we only wish them strength as they mourn the loss of their mother, who was adored by many. God is the Healer and Comforter,” said Makahamadze. Family friend and fellow musician Kireni Zulu urged Chinyani to be strong and find comfort in the Lord.
“Death is hard to bear when it happens, but strength is needed during such trying times. The family has lost a pillar, and we are with them as they mourn their mother. Of course, there is nothing we can do to stop death, but when it occurs, as is the case right now, we urge the bereaved family to be strong.”
