Chifunyise: A special friend

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What does it take to be an integral part of the arts and culture community in Zimbabwe? What kind of person invests his every belief into starting an initiative as courageous as Chipawo, for young Zimbabwean arts practitioners?
Stephen Chifunyise will be missed by the arts fraternity

by Maria Wilson

What does it take to be an integral part of the arts and culture community in Zimbabwe? What kind of person invests his every belief into starting an initiative as courageous as Chipawo, for young Zimbabwean arts practitioners? What kind of person volunteers to be part of the board of trustees of another brave and innovative community initiative called the Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa) that he actively promotes and defends every opportunity he is given?

The answer is a man who is brave, principled, imaginative, creative and completely self-giving. That man is the Stephen Chifunyise that Hifa had grown to admire and respect.

Chifunyise joined the Hifa board of trustees in 2001, making him one of the longest serving members of the festival. His extensive knowledge of and work in the Zimbabwean theatre world as well as his experience within government structures as permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture saw him bring to Hifa a measured approach to all matters raised, but with a sure understanding of artists and what is important in an arts and culture initiative.

It was very obvious from his work on his beloved Chipawo project that this was a unique person who truly believed in what investment in arts and culture could achieve especially for young people, and in the importance overall of arts and culture as a vehicle for positive social and community development.

It was always a pleasure to have Chifunyise attend meetings of the Hifa board of trustees. He was dignified and courteous, but with a sense of humour that made itself felt when needed. His absolute belief in Hifa and its objectives, his defence of its very survival and continuation and his extreme kindness and sensitivity, especially to Hifa management, were qualities that made him a most popular trustee with Hifa management and team. He was certainly Hifa’s most prominent promoter with his desire to be seen in Hifa T-shirts at every opportunity! He truly cared for Hifa and its people and shared all the festival’s highs and lows with the same joy, disappointment and frustration felt by the board of trustees and management.

Chifunyise was anything, but cowardly. He would speak out against what he saw as potentially detrimental to the arts and culture community. His bold defence of Hifa and what the festival is trying to achieve was unambiguous and his constant mantra to Hifa management was to “Keep going, no matter what…”

To express what a loss Chifunyise is to the Hifa board of trustees and to arts and culture in Zimbabwe is difficult and emotionally draining. He will be so sorely missed because of just the man he was — warm, gentle, bold, intelligent and encouraging. Within the context of Zimbabwean arts and culture, we have lost a warrior, a man not afraid to express his views and to share his concerns. For Chifunyise’s family, they have lost a loving husband, father and grandfather and someone who was certainly a most insightful sounding board for any issue.

The chairman and board of trustees of Hifa, management and team and Hifa audiences have lost a special friend. On behalf of all the above, Hifa extends its most sincere and heartfelt condolences to Chifunyise’s family, friends and colleagues. May his soul rest in eternal peace and may perpetual light shine upon his soul. Hifa has suffered a huge loss with Chifunyise’s passing and it is with heavy hearts that we will strive to fulfil one of his fervent wishes to… “Keep going, no matter what.”

Maria Wilson is the executive director at Hifa