Anne ‘Vimbai’ Nhira Gets State Assisted Funeral
The late actress Anne Nhira has been granted a state-assisted funeral by the government. Nhira who shot to fame following her breakthrough role as Vimbai Jari on the yesteryear hit soap opera, Studio 263, died on Wednesday after she succumbed to the injuries she sustained during a brutal attack by armed robbers in South Africa.
The news of Anne Nhira’s state-assisted funeral was announced by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda. In a letter written in response to Permanent Secretary for Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Thokozile Chitepo, Dr Sibanda advised that President Emmerson Mnangagwa has approved a state-assisted funeral for the late actress.
RE: STATE ASSISTED FUNERAL FOR THE LATE ANNE ‘VIMBAI’ NHIRE: ACTRESS
“Reference is made to your minute dated 12 March 2021 re: above subject matter.
“Please be advised that His Excellency the President has approved a State-assisted funeral to the late Anne “Vimbai” Nhira. You may proceed with the necessary arrangements.”
Firebrand Norton Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa had called for Nhira to be declared a provincial hero. Mliswa argued since Zim Dancehall icon Soul Jah Love, real name Soul Musaka, was declared a provincial hero, Nhira was also deserving of the same honour. Writing on social media platform Twitter, Mliswa had said,
“Another sad loss to hit the arts & entertainment industry. My sincerest condolences to the family of the late Anne Nhira. In recognition of her contributions to the industry and March as Women’s month, isn’t she suitable to be made a Provincial Hero?
“Unless of course Soul Jah Love was conferred for performing at @ZANUPF_Official rallies? Anne appeared on state media, doesn’t that qualify her too? A YARDER who attended the last @YARDzim2023 public lecture and as a young, talented female she should be conferred the status
“I don’t dispute Soul Jah Love’s popularity & the mark he made; I enjoyed his music too, but I would want to know why the late Anne Nhira couldn’t be given Provincial Hero status and what the selection criteria is?”
Under Zimbabwean law, the National Heroes Act gives the power to confer hero status to the President of Zimbabwe. However, the President usually consults with his senior advisers before making the decision.
The 38-year-old actress was at a prayer mountain when she was attacked by armed robbers on Monday, last week near Bedfordview, Johannesburg. She died on Wednesday from the injuries sustained during the attack.
According to her brother Juan Nhira, who is also based in South Africa the talented actress “…sustained injuries on her chest area, rib cage and back during a robbery on Monday afternoon.” The assailants are yet to be identified or apprehended.
Following her breakthrough role on Studio 263, Nhira relocated to South Africa in 2008. She had a cameo role in the soapie Zabalaza playing the part of an illegal Malawian immigrant working as a hairdresser. She later featured in the 2016 film Mutual Friends.-iharare
