SYDNEY MUBAIWA
GWERU- Renowned Zimbabwean academic, novelist and former Mambo Press editor Dr Paul Chidyausiku has died.
He was 98.
Chidyausiku died on May 9 at his home in Seke, Mashonaland East province.
In a statement, Acting President Dr Constantino Chiwenga extended his heartfelt condolences to the Chidyausiku family, describing the late as a respected figure who immensely contributed to the country’s education and cultural heritage.
“It is with a deep sense of sadness and grief that I learnt of the death of Dr Paul Tadzimirwa Chidyausiku.
“On behalf of His Excellency, the President, Dr E.D Mnangagwa, our party ZANU-PF, Government, my family and 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.
“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.
“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,” he said.
Dr Chidyausiku was the eldest of eight children and grew up under the guidance of his parents.
Among his siblings are the late National Hero and former Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku and diplomat Ambassador Boniface Chidyausiku.
He was a prolific writer who penned 13 novels, including “Nhoroondo Dzokuwanana”, “Broken Roots”, “Pfungwa DzaSekuru Mafusire”, “Karume Kangu,” Ndakambokuyambira” among others.
He also wrote a number of poems and published numerous articles in several publications.
He left Mambo Press in 1972 and moved to Harare 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, he worked to promote and develop Pan African literature in vernacular languages such as Shona and Ndebele.
He joined Zimpapers in 1980 where he led the establishment of Kwayedza newspaper.
He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Education by the Women’s University in Africa in 2016.
