WASHINGTON DC —
The body of former Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation and South African Broadcasting Corporation news anchor, Alice Chavunduka, who died in Johannesburg Sunday, is expected in Harare at the weekend for burial at a date still to be announced, a family spokesman told VOA Tuesday.
Chris Mbanga said Alice, one of the finest and most accomplished Zimbabwean broadcasters, collapsed in her Johannesburg home on New Year’s Eve.
Mbanga said she was found lying unconscious in her house and taken to hospital where she died a week later. No-one has an idea as to when she could have collapsed since she was alone. She was in a coma for a week before passing on Sunday.
Alice’s death is tragic, especially coming exactly a year after her father, former University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor and Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association president, Gordon Chavhunduka, succumbed to throat cancer.
Her famed uncle, Dexter, the country’s first black veterinary doctor, also died last year.
The 46 year-old had two years ago been involved in a serious accident Mbanga said led to her developing epileptic seizures.
“From time to time she would be affected by the seizures and would go in and out of hospital,” said Mbanga.
“But for now we wait for the post mortem results to tell us the exact cause of death. It really is indeed tragic and a very sad loss to the whole family.”
Mbanga said the date for Alice’s burial at Harare’s Glen Forest Cemetery will be announced in the next few days.
Mourners are gathered at the family home in Mount Pleasant, Harare.
Chris Mbanga said Alice, one of the finest and most accomplished Zimbabwean broadcasters, collapsed in her Johannesburg home on New Year’s Eve.
Mbanga said she was found lying unconscious in her house and taken to hospital where she died a week later. No-one has an idea as to when she could have collapsed since she was alone. She was in a coma for a week before passing on Sunday.
Alice’s death is tragic, especially coming exactly a year after her father, former University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor and Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association president, Gordon Chavhunduka, succumbed to throat cancer.
Her famed uncle, Dexter, the country’s first black veterinary doctor, also died last year.
The 46 year-old had two years ago been involved in a serious accident Mbanga said led to her developing epileptic seizures.
“From time to time she would be affected by the seizures and would go in and out of hospital,” said Mbanga.
“But for now we wait for the post mortem results to tell us the exact cause of death. It really is indeed tragic and a very sad loss to the whole family.”
Mbanga said the date for Alice’s burial at Harare’s Glen Forest Cemetery will be announced in the next few days.
Mourners are gathered at the family home in Mount Pleasant, Harare.