Charles Mungoshi, the unsung hero

Several interpretations have been made to the meaning of the word Hero. Whilst it can be said that a hero is someone who is admired for their intelligence, abilities or personal qualities, it can be equally concluded that a hero is also a person who does a brave act. The late Charles Mungoshi has been described as representing all things hero. Not only was he a literary giant but Charles Mungoshi managed to unite minds through his vast collection of books.

There had been numerous requests from different sectors to have Charles Mungoshi  who was buried yesterday, bestowed national hero status. The Zimbabwe writers association chairperson Cheru -Mupambwashe confirmed that they had made formal communication with the request for Charles Mungoshi to be accorded hero status but as evidenced by his burial at Manyeni in Chivhu the calls went unheeded.

Charles Mungoshi received  both local and international recognition for his work during his lifetime. He won the Commonwealth writers prize for best book in Africa twice for which he was invited to meet with queen Elizabeth. He was given an honorary doctorate by the University of  Zimbabwe in 2003.

Charles Mungoshi authored over 70 books. One of his poems was curated by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation in 2011 as a permanent display in Seattle USA. All these achivements  clearly indicate that Mungoshi did his country proud. He shaped the literacy movement in Zimbabwe and his writings bore a deep cultural heritage. After the recognition  of Oliver Mutukudzi a musician, as  a national hero earlier this year most people have suggested that it would have been befitting for Mungoshi to receive the same recognition.

He was a hero in his own right and marketed the country. He was a brand, an ambassador for Zimbabwe in the arts and literature industry. In a country that prides itself in having a high literacy rate, it would have been appropriate to honour one of the proponents of literacy development as most of his books were the subject of study at primary schools, secondary schools and even universities. Charles Mungoshi leaves behind a rich literal legacy in Zimbabwe.