adminBongani Ndlovu Showbiz Correspondent
THE body of former Studio 263 actress, Pretty Xaba, who succumbed to cancer in India at the weekend, will take two days to get to Zimbabwe if all the money for hospital and parlour fees is paid. Xaba, 49, died on Saturday afternoon at the BLK Super Speciality Hospital in New Delhi, India where she was being treated for cancer of the oesophagus.
“Mai Muwengwa”, as she was affectionately known because of her role on Studio 263, flew to India for the surgery which was, however, delayed after experts observed that the tumour had grown bigger.
Xaba’s sister-in-law, Ruth, said the funeral parlour in India would release the body as soon as they pay the fees adding that they had so far raised $1,200 of the $7,000 needed.
She said once the money is raised, the process of releasing the body from the funeral parlour would not take much time.
“We’ve to pay $2,500 at the hospital and $2,000 for the parlour. The body will take two days to get to Zimbabwe. We’re busy organising for her burial this side with local funeral parlours,” Ruth said.
She said as the papers are being sorted for her body to come, the family met yesterday at their rural home in Mhondoro to discuss burial arrangements.
“Whilst we’re looking for money to repatriate her body, the family is at the rural home discussing what is needed for her burial when she comes from India,” Ruth said.
Xaba is survived by two children, Hope, 24, and Runyararo, 18. Mourners are gathered at number 42 Rayamm Avenue, Eastlea, Harare.
Xaba was born in 1965 in Mhondoro where her grandfather had relocated due to work commitments. She did part of her primary school education in rural Mhondoro before moving to Harare where she attended St Michael and Sandringham High School.
The first acting role that made her the television star she was came after she heard an advertisement on radio that was calling for actors for a forthcoming television drama series Xola written by the late King Dube.
After a successful debut on the small screen, Dube called on her again to portray the main character in the drama series Coliwe.
Xaba later popped up again on television screens in the soapie Studio 263 as Mai Muwengwa.
Londile Moyo
Online Reporter