By Lance Guma
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Zimbabwean Radio and TV legend John Matinde has paid tribute to the late former ZBC, SABC and CNN newsreader Alyce Chavunduka (46) who died in Johannesburg on Sunday after suffering an epileptic seizure in her home on New Years Eve.
As the then head of ZBC Radio 3 Matinde gave Chavunduka her first shot at being a presenter on the station alongside the likes of Millicent Bususu Mombeshora and Eunice “Miss DJ” Goto.
Speaking to Nehanda Radio on Wednesday, Matinde said Chavunduka’s death was more than just a professional loss for him but also a deeply personal one.
“The Radio 3 motley crew was a close knit family in and outside the studios. We used to be there for each other outside our working lives. So I have lost part of my extended family,’ he said.
Matinde recounted how he often introduced Chavunduka’s shows on radio calling her “Chalyce” a combination of her surname and name. The name stuck as even Chavunduka herself began using the nickname.
“Not many people know this but she contributed to the backing vocals for Michael Lanas and Talking Drum’s song ‘Come to Me – Hapana Mazwi’ alongside Alice Dhana,” Matinde told Nehanda Radio.
Her former colleague Eunice “Miss DJ” Nhliziyo Goto told Nehanda Radio:
“I am deeply saddened by the passing away of my former ZBC colleague, sister and friend Alice Chavunduka. I remember our days on Radio 3 and TV in the late 80’s and early 90’s, Alice was without a doubt a true seasoned natural broadcaster/presenter who inspired many, especially women through her profession.
“Not only is she a loss to Zimbabwe/SA but the entire African continent which she represented with excellence in the broadcasting world, what a talented presenter. Truly speaking I am at a loss of words “ndarwadziwa Alice.”
On Monday Alyce’s young sister Thandiwe Chavunduka Muluswela told SW Radio Africa that her 46 year-old sister collapsed on New Year’s Eve. She was found unconscious and rushed to hospital where she spent a week in a coma, before her death over the weekend.
Prior to this Chavunduka had been involved in two serious road accidents, one of which left her suffering from epileptic fits. Her father, former University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor and Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association president, Gordon Chavhunduka, succumbed to throat cancer a year ago.
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