Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere
FORMER Zimpapers staffer, renowned editor, poet and novelist Dr Paul Chidyausiku, who died last Friday, has been accorded a State-assisted funeral.
The announcement was made by Acting President Dr Constantino Chiwenga when he visited the Chidyausiku family home in Seke yesterday.
Dr Chidyausiku, who died aged 98, was the eldest of eight children.
Dr Paul Chidyausiku
Among his siblings are the late national hero and former Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku and diplomat and war veteran, Ambassador Boniface Chidyausiku.
Acting President Chiwenga said Dr Chidyausiku will be remembered for his contributions to Zimbabwe’s literary landscape and national identity.
His young brother, Ambassador Chidyausiku thanked the Government for honouring his brother.
“This loss is painful, but we must celebrate Dr Paul Chidyausiku’s remarkable legacy through his writings and encourage others to emulate his commitment to the betterment of our country,” said Acting President Chiwenga.
“May the Chidyausiku family, his wife and children find solace in knowing that their father’s literary works will continue to inspire future generations and remain etched in the annals of our history.
“For his contribution to the country, President Mnangagwa has directed that he be granted a State-assisted funeral and from now on, the Government will be taking care of his funeral.”
Speaking of the other Chidyausiku siblings, the Acting President said the family contributed immensely to the country.
“The legacy of Justice Chidyausiku, particularly his landmark ruling on land restitution, showcases the family’s dedication to the principles of justice and equity.
“Ambassador Chidyausiku, who is here with us, is a war veteran who participated in our armed struggle, and is also a diplomat who served the country in different missions,” said Acting President Chiwenga.
Dr Chidyausiku passed away peacefully at his home in Seke.
In an earlier statement, Acting President Chiwenga said: “On behalf of His Excellency, the President, Dr ED Mnangagwa, our party ZANU PF, Government, my family and on my own behalf, I express my heartfelt condolences to the Chidyausiku family particularly Amai Joyce Chidyausiku and the children, at this difficult and heartbreaking time.”
He said the family belonged to the Vashawasha clan of the Mukanya totem, and the children grew up under the watchful eyes of their parents and clan elders.
“A renowned editor, poet and novelist, Dr Paul Chidyausiku’s literary accomplishments will forever be remembered in Zimbabwe, from the time of his appointment as the first editor of the Catholic-run Moto magazine in 1958 at Mambo Press in Gweru,” said Acting President Chiwenga.
“His work at the magazine revealed a deep love for his country and support for the oppressed black majority who were subjected to racial oppression under the hostile colonial regime.
“Dr Chidyausiku used his position as editor to bring to the fore topical issues that affected the black majority at the time, supporting the armed struggle that led to the country’s independence in 1980,” said Acting President Chiwenga.
Dr Chidyausiku left Mambo Press in 1972 and moved to Harare (then Salisbury), where he briefly worked for the urban council in 1973, before joining the African Literature Bureau in 1974.
During his tenure at the Literature Bureau, Dr Chidyausiku worked diligently to promote and develop Pan-African literature in vernacular languages such as Shona and Ndebele.
The Acting President said Dr Chidyausiku worked tirelessly to support upcoming and established authors and facilitated the training of editors and writers.
At independence in 1980, Dr Chidyausiku joined the Ministry of Information as an assistant director, and his love for literature inspired him to lead the establishment of Kwayedza, a vernacular language newspaper at Zimpapers.
He later left the Ministry of Information to join Zimpapers on a full-time basis, where he worked for Kwayedza until his retirement.
An author of note, Dr Chidyausiku penned 13 novels during his lifetime, among them Nhoroondo Dzokuwanana, Broken Roots, Pfungwa DzaSekuru Mafusire, Ndakambokuyambira, and Karume Kangu.
He also wrote several poems and published numerous articles in several publications locally and abroad.
Acting President Chiwenga said in recognition of his writing prowess and dedication to the establishment and development of a literary culture in Zimbabwe, Dr Chidyausiku was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Education by the Women’s University in Africa in 2016.
His young brother, Ambassador Chidyausiku thanked the Government for honouring his brother.
He also spoke glowingly of his brother’s contribution to Pan-Africanism and his contribution to the media landscape, where he also covered the ZANU inaugural congress in 1963 as Moto magazine editor.
