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Chiedza Brown

Tawanda Marwizi Arts Correspondent
Several arts personalities yesterday expressed their condolences to the Maraire and Brown families following the death of Chiedza Brown. Chiedza (15), the younger daughter of late songstress Chiwoniso and Andy Brown who was living with her aunt, Tawona Maraire in Texas, US, allegedly took her own life on Saturday.

Her sister Chengeto Brown announced the death on Facebook over the weekend: “We are heartbroken to share the news that Chiedza Brown has passed away tragically on Saturday, September 12, 2015.

“Chiedza was a loving daughter, sister, cousin and friend. She was a remarkable girl who touched the lives of everyone who met her,” she posted. She also went on to ask for privacy.

Mbira musician Hope Masike, through her twitter account, condoled the two families for the loss. “Mhuri yekwaMaraire neyekwa Brown, tinochema nemi. Tinokushuwirai nyaradzo inopodza maronda ese, nyaradzo kubva kuna Mwari,” she posted.

Another musician Selma Mtukudzi also used her twitter account expressing her grief over the passing away of the young artiste. “We are very sad to learn of the passing of #ChiedzaBrown. Our deepest condolences to the Maraire and Brown families,” she said.

Jive Zimbabwe, an organisation responsible for marketing music online, through its director Benjie Nyandoro said it was a great loss for the music industry. “At that age she was already driven by her passion for arts and it is a great loss,” said Nyandoro.

According to Chengeto, Chiedza was an accomplished singer, painter, actress who had love and was gifted in playing the mbira that she learnt from her mother. “She was known to all for her bright energy and was always laughing.

“She was an incredibly caring person who had dreams of pursuing her art and music.

“She will be remembered for her energy, her smile and her love for all. The Maraire and Brown families are asking for privacy as they mourn the loss of such a young life,” she said.

She said burial arrangements will be announced in due course. In 2013 at the now defunct Book Cafe, the late Chiedza and her sister Chengeto vowed to keep their parents’ legacy alive through music.