Former Sunday Mail reporter Mutandwa dies
FORMER The Sunday Mail journalist and former public affairs officer at the British Embassy Grace Mutandwa has died. She was 57.
Grace died yesterday at her home in Harare after battling cancer.
Her brother, Mr Andrew Mutandwa, confirmed her death.
“She was born in Bulawayo on July 26, 1963 and was undergoing treatment for cancer which was diagnosed in June 2019,” he said.
“She worked in the media for more than 30 years, starting off at
The Sunday Mail. Later, she held other positions in various media houses including the Zimbabwe Inter Africa News Agency (Ziana) and The Financial Gazette, before becoming public affairs officer at the British Embassy in Harare.”
Mr Mutandwa said Grace worked as a programmes officer for Impi Zimbabwe and had a stint as chairperson of PEN Zimbabwe.
“She was a prolific writer as a freelancer and author,” he said. “Her works include ‘ The Power and the Glory — A Memoir’; and ‘ Whose Daughter My Child’. She also wrote other prominent peoples’ biographies.
“In 2018, she was selected as a Fall Logan non-fiction Fellow at Carey Institute, in New York.”
Mr Mutandwa said their family had been robbed of a peacemaker and a counsellor.
“It is almost a cliché to say
Grace will be sorely missed,” he said.
“The simple truth is that she was the one person every member of the family and extended family gravitated towards as she was our diplomat, peacemaker, counsellor, as well as chief comedian who made everyone forget their problems.
“As she wrote in one of her poems, she stated that she has her problems and some days are tough but: ‘I am strong, I am meant to be strong’. “
“What is more heartbreaking is that one of her sons and other very close family will not be able to bid her farewell and lay her to rest due to Covid-19 restrictions.”
Grace is survived by a daughter, two sons and a grandson.