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Gilbert Munetsi Correspondent
President Mnangagwa’s Second Republic is committed to putting effort in the promotion of literature and the arts as they are the soul of the nation, a Cabinet minister has said.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa made the remarks when she officiated at the memorial service of great writer Dr Charles Mungoshi at Nyaradzo Funeral Parlour in Chitungwiza yesterday.

“Nothing is as rich as the written word and due to the lack of it, a lot of Africa’s heritage and diversity got lost,” she said.

Minister Mutsvangwa noted the death of Dr Mungoshi, who was a literary giant over a time-span of half a century was a sad loss for Zimbabwe.

“Being an outstanding writer, many of his books became set books studied in schools in English and Shona and he also proved to be a versatile writer such that today we mourn a remarkable artiste and thinker. Mungoshi took the African tradition of folk-telling around the fireplace to print and other media and in Zimbabwe he leaves a very rich heritage for the contemporaries, current and future generations,” she said.

She paid tribute to Mungoshi’s widow, Jesesi, for the bravery she showed over the years and being able to stand by an ailing husband for a long time, urging her to use the experience to educate other women in similar situations.

Minister Mutsvangwa was accompanied by her husband, Ambassador Chris Mutsvangwa, permanent secretary in the ministry Mr Nick Mangwana.

They donated foodstuffs with ZBC chief executive Mr Patrick Mavhura pledging to provide breakfast and lunch today.