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Trust Khosa
Veteran actress, Susan “Mai Rwizi” Chenjerai, will be buried today at Glen Forest Memorial Park, Harare. President Mnangagwa has accorded Mai Rwizi a State assisted funeral.
She died aged 83 last Friday after a short illness.
Permanent Secretary for Sports, Reaction, Arts and Culture, Mr Nicholas Moyo, conveyed the news during a memorial service held at Doves Funeral parlour in Harare yesterday.
“To us, Mai Rwizi was a legend. I was informed this morning (yesterday) from the Office of the President that the President has bestowed a status that we call a State-assisted funeral in Mai Rwizi’s honour, which is a victory for the arts sector.
“As players in the arts sector, we celebrate that her name has been written among legends.
“I would like to comfort you as a family because when someone is beyond 70 years, she has lived a full life, she is worth celebrating, sending off and be comforted that we are celebrating,” he said.
Mai Rwizi’s daughter, Daisy, welcomed Government’s gesture of a State assisted funeral.
“We are happy as a family with the honour bestowed upon our mother.
“It means a lot to us since our mother was well-known in the film industry.
“Our mother was a great person who made a name for herself as an actress and musician. She has left behind a legacy that we hope to keep alive,” she said.
“I am an actress and musician who also learnt the ropes from our mother.
“I will make sure that she is not forgotten by carrying on with the good work she was doing,” said Daisy.
“She also taught us to pray and I will make sure that her dream of spreading the word of God continues.”
Mai Rwizi was a favourite of many when she starred in the drama series “Mhuri YekwaMukadota” which was popular on ZTV.
A versatile entertainer she was, Mai Rwizi played her role effortlessly.
She started her acting career in the 1950s before she ventured into music.
Between then to early 1980s, she was already popular as an actress.
Her journey started in 1951 as a member of Bantu actors, whose cast was made up of Mbare actors.
In the late 50s, she joined Marandellas Bush Babies and made an impact.
She rubbed shoulders with yesteryear stars like Oliver Mtukudzi, Joran Chataika and US based Chimurenga musician Thomas Mapfumo.
She later joined Safirio Madzikatire’s Safe Brothers Band in 1969.
Owing to her talent, Mai Rwizi was scouted when she was still in school and never looked back.
With Madzikatire, she performed such songs as “KwaHunyani” along with her dancing partner Elizabeth Taderera, known by her moniker, Katarina.
She quit acting in 1984 after she was born again.
A pastor at The New Gospel Church, Mai Rwizi was a God-fearing person who was determined to serve God.
Congregants at her church described her as a prayer warrior who changed many lives.
She is survived by four children, 21 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Online Reporter