The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
Legendary Mbira musician, Mbuya Stella Chiweshe has died.
She was 77.
In a statement, National Arts Council director, Mr Nicholas Moyo said Mbuya Stella Chiweshe succumbed to brain cancer at her home in Harare on Friday morning.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of NAMA legend Mbuya Stella Rambisai Chiweshe (77),” he said.
“Her daughter Virgnia Mukwesha-Hetze informed me that Mbuya Chiweshe died peacefully from cancer of the brain at home in Harare this morning.”
Born on July 28, 1946, in Mujumi Village in Mhondoro, Mbuya Stella Chiweshe was undoubtedly Zimbabwe’s Queen of Mbira and one of the country’s foremost cultural exports.
“With her swooping vocals on the mbira, she brought traditional Zimbabwean Shona music to the international stage,” said Mr Moyo.
“With a career spanning over 40 years, Mbuya Chiweshe was a recipient of various local and international awards, including the Billboard Music Award (1993), the NAMA (2006), the NAMA Lifetime Achievement Award (2020), and the NAMA Legends Awards (2021).
Mourners are gathered at Mukwesha Homestead in Chinyika, Goromonzi.
