Arts practitioners, friends mourn Rutendo Chigudu

Arts practitioners have mourned the passing of theatre actress Rutendo Tapiwa Chigudu who died suddenly in Johannesburg on Thursday.

She suddenly collapsed and died in the afternoon. Chigudu had been studying at the Wits University.

Theatre director Zane Lucas said:

I am in tears having just found out my dear friend and colleague in theatre has passed away. R Tendo Tapiwa I can’t believe you’re gone. Such a bright spark extinguished too soon. You will be missed. ‘I go fire you oh’

Theatre actor and director Musa Saruro:

This is not how we were taught to exit the stage my friend..

Stage actor Erin Sticklen:

R Tendo Tapiwa. I can’t. You were a joy. A light. Such a talent. The world is poorer having lost you. So so sad.

Film director Rumbi Katedza:

We had so much more to do together R Tendo Fly high Angel

Development practitioner Nyasha Sengayi:

Thought of you the other day .. about your writing on a controversial blog post on how men easily defect public spaces by urinating everywhere… I was going to look for you, just like I’ve been meaning to do everything when I get well. but then you bowed out too soon.. R Tendo Tapiwa where are we ever going to find such feistiness which was often misunderstood? You wouldn’t think twice before belting out a spunky response to stuff you were not happy with.. but then today , it got to this.. .

Theatre actress Joylene Malenga:

@rtendotapiwa wadaireiko? Aiwa Mwari vaita kuda kwavo. Isu tasara tinobata basa nepakovo mwana wamai. Rest in peace darling kiddo Chigudu. I have your voice note from 2 weeks ago with your infectious laugh at the fact that I have only ever addressed you as Chigudu! Darling, we’ll take it up from here.

Comedian Q Dube

R Tendo Tapiwa I’m not ok
Rest in eternal peace my friend

Chef Larry Ndoro, with whom she has a son

I’m still in shock….just got the news and I’m still struggling to process it. So full of life and such a vibrant person. R Tendo Tapiwa haudaro… We were never meant to face everything ahead without your help, advice and laughs. Ndomutii mwana wedu? Warwadzisa ……I’m speechless. Hasta Luego mami