Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
NATIONAL Gallery of Zimbabwe chief executive Raphael Chikukwa yesterday led heartfelt tributes for revered photographer Calvin Dondo, who passed away over the weekend at Mvurwi Hospital.
Dondo, who had been unwell for some time, was buried yesterday at Warren Hills Cemetery in Harare.
He was 62.
As the nation continues to mourn the loss of other photographers — Bester Kanyama and James Jemwa — Chikukwa expressed his deep sorrow over Dondo’s passing, which adds to the grief within the creative sector.
“The pain of losing Dondo is hard to bear, especially since we recently lost other legendary photographers like Kanyama and Jemwa, making these losses unbearable,” he shared.
“I have known him for years; he was a quiet guy who thoroughly enjoyed his work, and he preferred to let his work do most of the talking. He was innovative, and I knew him on a personal level. He loved what he did as an artist.”
Chikukwa hailed Dondo for creating synergies in the photography industry that benefited locals. “He had a strong network with other international photographers, and he is credited with bringing the World Press Photo exhibition to Zimbabwe.
“We will also remember him for promoting the Gwanza Photo Exhibition, which gave exposure to the likes of Tsvangirai Mukwazhi and many other photographers.
“He used to run them at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, and we still consider him a son of this gallery, where he held his exhibitions,” he recounted.
“Dondo also represented Zimbabwe at the 54th Venice Biennale and exhibited at the Havana Biennale, Paris Photo Exhibition, and multiple times at the Bamako Encounters — African Biennale of Photography. He really left a mark in photography.”
International photographer Nellien Brewer was equally saddened by the loss of Dondo, who got along well with other photographers in the sub-region.
“I’m so sorry to hear this. I met Calvin Dondo at the Joburg Fringe when we exhibited at Maboneng. He told me such interesting stories about the history of photography in Zimbabwe. Deepest condolences to his family,” posted Brewer. Mukwazhi, who worked closely with Dondo, described his loss as a huge blow to the art and photography sector in Zimbabwe and beyond.
In a Facebook post, Mukwazhi credited Dondo for mentorship and linking him with veterans.
“In the early 2000s, Calvin suggested forming a local Association of Photographers. We held meetings with the likes of the late Bester Kanyama (the man behind former Robert Mugabe’s Presidential portrait), Joseph Nyadzayo (Presidential photographer), and William Nyamuchengwa (then Chief Photographer at Ziana).
“I was a young man among these “elders.” While an association was later formed, Calvin and I felt its vision had been compromised and politicised, so we chose not to join.
Instead, we poured our energy into creating Gwanza — the Harare Month of Photography. That was perhaps the best decision we made.
“For over a decade, Gwanza hosted exhibitions, talks and presentations that empowered and inspired new generations of photographers.” He also acknowledged Dondo for creating international opportunities for him.
“With Calvin, I travelled the world. We exhibited in Bamako, Mali, where he won the Grand Prize at the Bamako Encounters in 2007, while I received the Blachere Foundation Residency Fellowship.
“He later worked on his project in Germany, and I pursued projects in Marseille, France.
“Together, through Gwanza, we collaborated in Mozambique at Foto Fiesta, worked with the Market Photo Workshop in South Africa, and exhibited in Manchester, UK, and many other parts of the world.
