Simon Chimbetu’s widow, Angela dies

By Mtandazo Dube

Simon Chimbetu’s widow Angela has died. Angela (39) died at Chitungwiza General Hospital on Saturday afternoon after spending more than a week at the health institution. 

According to the family spokesperson, Suluman Chimbetu, Angela was first rushed to hospital on Sunday August 11 after complaining of lethargy and dizziness.

“She complained of not feeling well during the Harare Gardens commemorative show. We rushed her to hospital and she was diagnosed with high blood pressure and was given medication and bed rest,” said Suluman last night, speaking from Victoria Falls where his band was set to perform at the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly.

Suluman said the family was awaiting the doctor’s report on the cause of death.
“Most of the tests that had been conducted after she complained of having breathing problems had not yet been out. So, I guess we will all know after the post-mortem,” said Suluman.

A distraught Suluman said Angela’s death was a big blow to the family.

“Our mother was the last shoulder we had left to cry on. Now that she is gone and our father also gone — we are really on our own. Now more than ever we need to be united as a family as these are trying times. She was our pillar of strength,” he said.

Suluman said his late stepmother was a fighter, who never let anything put her down. After her brief hospitalisation, Angela still attended another segment of her late husband’s commemorations in Chinhoyi, but had to be hospitalised again while in Chinhoyi after complaining of breathing problems.

The family visited Simon’s gravesite in line with Heroes’ Day formalities ahead of another show at Chinhoyi Stadium.

“We went with her to Chinhoyi, but realised later that we should have let her rest some more as she was visibly sick,” said Suluman.

He added: “She insisted on attending the Chinhoyi leg of the commemorations. She was like that. She never allowed anything to put her down. Even after our father died in 2005, she was there for everyone, working hard to put food on the table.”

Suluman said although his family was already processing burial arrangements, his management was last night frantically trying to book him a flight back to Harare “as soon as possible”.

He said burial arrangements would be announced in due course. Angela is survived by several step-daughters, sons, grandchildren and one biological son, Kudzi, whom she had with the late Dendera king.