Alexander Kanengoni
Alexander Kanengoni | |
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![]() Alexander Kanengoni | |
Born | Chivhu | September 17, 1951
Died | April 12, 2016 Harare | (aged 64)
Occupation |
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Known for | being a novelist |
Spouse(s) | Gladys Kanengoni |
Children | Tawanda Kanengoni, Elizabeth, Josephine, Tinashe and Letisha |
Alexander Gora Kanengoni was a Zimbabwean journalist, writer, essayist known for his war novels, amongst them Vicious Circle, When The Rain Bird Cries, Echoing Silences and a collection of short stories called Effortless Tears. He was also a war veteran having fought in the ZANLA army during the war for Zimbabwe's Independence. He died on 12 April 2016. At the time of his death, he was deputy editor of weekly newspaper The Patriot.
Background
Born on September 17, 1951 Cde Kanengoni trained as a teacher and briefly taught at several schools among them Mufakose before crossing to Mozambique to join the liberation struggle in 1974.
Liberation War
During the liberation war Kanengoni was detained together with Dzinashe Machingura, Henry Hamadziripi, Parker Chipoyera, Doctor Taderera, Augustine Chihuri, Rugare Gumbo, Happison Muchechetere and others.
Post Independence
After the country attained independence in 1980, he went to the University of Zimbabwe and majored in English Literature. In 1983 he joined the Ministry of Education and Culture as a project officer responsible for the education of ex-combatants and refugees. In 1988 he joined the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation and worked there until 2002 when he became a farmer and deputy editor of The Patriot weekly newspaper.
Death
Kanengoni collapsed and died at his Warren Park home in Harare on the early morning of 12 April 2016. He had complained of chest pains. Kanengoni suffered from hypertension and was also diabetic.
Publications
- Vicious Circle (1983)
- When the Rain Bird Cries (1988)
- Echoing Silences (1997)
- Effortless Tears (1993)
- Writing Still (2003)
Trivia
- Kanengoni was a director at Zimpapers, the government-owned newsgroup.