Staff Reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday sent a message of condolences to the Kahari family, following the death of Professor George Kahari on Friday.

Professor Kahari died from Covid-19 complications, he was 91.

In statement, the President described the late Professor Kahari as a loyal and dedicated nationalist who served his country loyally and faithfully in various capacities including as the country’s ambassador to Germany, Italy and Czechoslovakia.

“It is with deep sadness that i leant 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,” reads part of the Statement.

“On behalf of Government, my family and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to express my heartfelt condolence 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.” he said.

The late Professor Kahari was also at the helm of the board in charge of the Zimbabwe National Gallery.