HUNDREDS of people — including family members, friends and representatives from the country’s arts sectors — yesterday thronged the home of the late prolific author Chenjerai Hove to pay their last respects ahead of his burial at his rural home in Copper Queen, Gokwe.
BY KENNEDY NYAVAYA
Hove succumbed to liver failure at his base in Norway on July 12.
Last rites were held at the family home before the funeral cortege proceeded to Gokwe ahead of Hove’s burial scheduled for today.
Family spokesperson Ray Mawerera said: “It is devastating loss and very difficult for us because he meant a lot to the whole family.”
He expressed gratitude to all those who comforted the family in the wake of Hove’s death.
“I want to record our thanks to the artistic fraternity and the whole family of Zimbabweans who have sent condolence messages to us at this time,” he said.
Mawerera said the Hove family was grateful for the support and comfort they have received during this dark period.
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Prominently known for his Noma Award for Publishing in Africa winner, the classic novel, Bones (1988), Hove was born in Mazvihwa, Zvishavane on February 9, 1956. He was educated at Kutama College and Marist Brothers in Dete, Hwange.
He trained as a teacher before attaining several degrees from the University of South Africa (Unisa) and the University of Zimbabwe. Hove was one of the very few Zimbabwean writers who wrote both in English and Shona.
Some of his poems were published in the trendsetting Zimbabwe war poetry anthology, And Now The Poets Speak (1981).
He has published a number of individual poetry anthologies that include Up in Arms (1982), Red Hills of Home (1985), Rainbow in the Dust (1998) and Blind Moon (2003). His household novels included Masimba Avanhu (1986), Shadows (1991) and Ancestors (1996).
Hove, who has since 2001 lived in exile in the US, France and Norway, was seen by many as a voice for the voiceless as he spoke out strongly against Zanu PF’s increasingly dictatorial rule.
Meanwhile, Hohodza frontman Simbarashe Mudzingwa, who died in the UK after an undisclosed illness, was yesterday afternoon laid to rest at his rural home in Mrehwa.
