The Sunday Mail
Kimberly Mhembere
VETERAN arts practitioner Ellen Tungwarara (nee Zanza), who died recently in South Africa, is expected to be buried in Harare today.
The wife of the late actor, Ozias Tungwarara, succumbed to a stroke that was triggered by high blood pressure.
“She was hospitalised in Johannesburg, South Africa, last weekend in an unresponsive condition. However, her death did come as a shock to us as she did not have any health complications.
“We are still sorting out Ellen’s repatriation to Zimbabwe from South Africa, while mourners are gathered at her home in Waterfalls, Harare. Her body is expected in the country on Saturday (yesterday),” her sister-in-law, Erica Tungwarara, told The Sunday Mail Society on Thursday as she confirmed the death. Ellen studied the arts at the University of Zimbabwe.
She later co-founded the Zimbabwe Association of Community Theatre and Taako Theatre Company in 1982, which trailblazed nationwide and abroad.
The late arts practitioner played a pivotal role in fighting for the inclusion of women in theatre productions in post-independent Zimbabwe. Under Taako Theatre Company, the talented actress, production manager and facilitator ran workshops where she trained young artistes locally and abroad.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe executive director Nicholas Moyo said he worked closely with the late artiste on several projects. “Her astuteness made her stand out. We worked together from the formation of the Zimbabwe Association of Community Theatre, and as co-leaders at the Zim-Holland World Youth and Cultural Exchange Programme, where she was a facilitator for young women,” he said.
The National Arts Council of Zimbabwe boss added: “The arts industry has lost a skilled practitioner. She was a well-rounded arts administrator, who promoted and stood out in mentoring young female artistes globally.”
Revered poet Chirikure Chirikure described Ellen as a passionate and committed individual.
“We specialised in plays adapted from novels and poetry, which we produced at the students’ drama club. Ellen was a naturally talented actress and her good sense of humour kept the whole group in good spirits,” said Chirikure.
“I dug out a brochure of one the Taako plays and sent it to her a few days before her husband’s tombstone unveiling, which is when I last saw her last year. We walked down memory lane, admiring the energy and drive we had as a theatre group.”
Chirikure, who was a long-time friend of the Tungwararas, said the couple helped to shape the community theatre landscape in Zimbabwe.
“The void left by the two will be difficult to fill,” he said.
Ozias served for many years as the chairman of the Zimbabwe Association of Community Theatre.
