By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
The body of renowned thespian Rutendo Tapiwa Chigudu who died last week in South Africa aged 37 is expected to arrive in Harare on Friday ahead of burial in Rusape.
The stage and screen actress popularly known as R Tendo on social media reportedly collapsed and died in Johannesburg where she was studying.
Her ex-husband and arts practitioner Larry Ndoro confirmed the body is expected home this Friday.
“At this point in time we are waiting for the body to arrive in Harare but burial is tentatively in Rusape.
“The day of the burial is yet to be confirmed,” Ndoro said.
He described the death as a sad loss not only to his family but the art fraternity.
He, however, said the family was not aware of the fund raising circulating on social media.
“As a family they were not involved in the fund raising campaign but however, Winnie Moyo was a friend to Rutendo,” he said.
Winnie and another friend identified as Judith Chyangwa had called on well-wishers to donate money towards Rutendo’s send off.
They both gave their Ecocash numbers and bank details so that well-wishers could deposit their money.
When asked how much money was needed, Winnie Moyo declined to comment and also could not say exactly what the money was meant for.
“I am sorry I cannot comment,” she said before she hung up the phone.
A mother of two, R Tendo was currently studying towards her MA in Applied Drama with Wits University in South Africa.
A holder of the Bachelor of Arts: Honors in Theater Arts from the University of Zimbabwe R Tendo was many things to different people.
Her footprint on Zimbabwean film and theatre cannot be ignored especially that she worked with difference creative at so many levels.
She once worked with organisers of the Harare International Festival of Arts as a coordinator of events, worked for Patsime Trust, Reps Theatre, Zimbabwe Women Writers Association, Star FM Radio as well as Sadc Arts Festival to mention a few.
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