President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday expressed his condolences to the Kahari family following the death of Professor George Payne Kahari who succumbed to COVID-19 on Friday. Pindula News is publishing President Mnangagwa’s message of condolence below:
Condolence Message by His Excellency the President, Cde E.D. Mnangagwa, following the death of Professor George Payne Kahari, Harare, 25 July 2021
It was with deep sadness that I learnt of the passing on last Friday of Professor George Payne Kahari after succumbing to COVID-19-related illness.
The death of Professor Kahari adds to the pain and suffering our Nation is going through after losing many Zimbabweans to the dreaded disease, especially in the month of July.
With the passing on of Professor Kahari, the Nation has lost one of its pioneering crop of intellectuals to join nationalist politics from the formative days of our struggle for freedom and national Independence.
We held him in high esteem for his scholarly achievements as an authority in the field of languages, literature, arts and cultural heritage.
He served his country loyally and faithfully in various capacities including as our country’s ambassador to Germany, Italy and then Czechoslovakia, and at the helm of the board in charge of the Zimbabwe National Gallery.
On behalf of Government, my family, and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the Kahari family, especially to his wife Betty and the children, who have lost a husband, father and guardian.
May they take comfort from the knowledge that the nation mourns with them.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.