adminSophia Chese Harare Bureau
FORMER Studio 263 actress Pretty Xaba’s body is expected in the country today from India. Xaba, 49, died last Saturday at BLK Super Speciality Hospital in New Delhi where she was receiving treatment for cancer of the oesophagus which she was diagnosed with in July this year. Her sister-in-law, Ruth Xaba, said their family had raised the money needed for the body to be flown back home.
“As a family, we felt that the country has helped us already and it is time for us to show our love for our sister. We managed to raise money to bring her body home.
“The body is at the parlour, ready to be flown here, and is expected to arrive tomorrow, (today),” Ruth said.
The family had initially pleaded with the public to assist them raise $7,000 which was needed for her repatriation. Ruth thanked all those who had supported them.
“We want to thank everyone who helped us during the time when our sister was not well. We really appreciate the love shown by Zimbabweans,” she said.
Pretty’s death has brought sorrow to a nation that had hoped for her recovery after a series of fundraising events to finance her travel to India for treatment. Co-ordinator of the Let’s help Pretty Xaba campaign, Taonga Mafundikwa, described Pretty’s death as a big blow to the arts industry and thanked people for supporting the cause.
“I’d like to express my gratitude to everyone who participated in the Save Pretty Campaign. I know we all would’ve loved to have a different result, but this is how it has turned out,” said an emotional Mafundikwa.
Pretty hogged the limelight as the bubbly “NakaSithabile”, who starred as wife to the late Nevernay Chinyanga, popularly known as Muwengwa in one of Zimbabwe’s most popular soapies, Studio 263. She also featured in a number of local dramas including Xola, Coliwe, I Want a Dress, Everyone’s Child and Lobola.
She is survived by two children, Hope, 24, and Runyararo,18.
Mourners are gathered at number 42 Rayamm Avenue in Eastlea, Harare.
Online Reporter