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Zvamaida Murwira Harare Bureau
FORMER Natprint general manager Walter Chipwaya has died.

He was 58.

Chipwaya died at Parirenyatwa Hospital yesterday morning after succumbing to cancer of the liver.

His sister and family spokesperson Daisy Chipwaya said he had been unwell for the past two months, but got serious last Thursday and was admitted to the hospital.

“He was a loving brother and father to all the siblings and children,” she said. “He was not selfish. His death is a big blow to us as a family.”

Born on April 11, 1957, Chipwaya went to Chitsere Primary School in Mbare for his early education up to Standard Three.

He proceeded to Waddilove Mission school where he completed his Grade Seven before enrolling at Fletcher High School for his secondary education.

He then did his printing apprenticeship at Harare Polytechnic College before joining the then Rhodesian Herald as the first black apprentice printer on April 14, 1975.

He was then appointed as printer in 1979 and rose to become deputy foreman in 1983 before he became foreman the following year.

Chipwaya was promoted to become assistant technical manager in 1992 and later held the position of assistant advertising manager between 1993 and 1998.

He then became technical manager in 1998 before rising to become general manager of Zimpapers’ Harare branch in 2001.

In December 2011, Chipwaya was transferred to head the company’s Bulawayo branch before returning to Harare as the printing division Natprint’s general manager.

He retired in February this year.

Chipwaya is survived by his wife, Fellistus, four children and three grandchildren.

Mourners are gathered at No 206 Enterprise Road, The Grange.