HARARE - Alyce Chavunduka, the former ZBC and SABC news anchor, was laid to rest at the Glen Forest Cemetery yesterday afternoon.
The late Chavunduka, who died on January 5, was described by her brother Themba Davis as a talented person who was sociable and hard-working.
Chavunduka suffered an epileptic seizure in her South Africa home a week before her death.
“Alyce had an outgoing personality, she was determined to set her path on an illustrious career in the media,” he said.
Davis said his sister’s determination led to being the first black TV news presenter in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
“Alyce was not only the first black news presenter here in Zimbabwe, she was also the first black African presenter in South Africa,” he said.
Chris Mbanga, the family’s spokesperson, described Alyce as a strong-minded feminist who never got married in her lifetime.
“She was a focused person who never wanted hassles from anyone hence she was never married, she had no child during her lifetime,” he said.
Veteran broadcaster Admire Taderera said Chavunduka was a star and a cornerstone of broadcasting in Zimbabwe.
He said he first met her in the 90s at the then Radio 3 and said she was eager to learn.
“We first met in the 90s. She was young and with her talent ,she quickly climbed the ladder of broadcasting and became a news presenter,” Taderera said.
“We have lost an important person in the broadcasting industry. It’s so sad that we have lost one of our finest broadcasters.”
Davis, said he was happy that she managed to make it into the ranks of what he called “Chavunduka firsts”.
She was daughter to the late Gordon Chavunduka who was the first medical sociologist and professor of sociology.
The Chavunduka family produced luminaries including Dexter the first veterinary surgeon, Sarah Kachingwe, the first black woman to graduate at the University of Zimbabwe and the late Mark Chavunduka, who made his mark in journalism.