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Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
THIS week has been a bad one for local showbiz as yet another artiste, popular Studio 263 actress Mai Huni (real name Charmaine Mangwende) died on Thursday.

Details on the cause of death were still sketchy yesterday.

Many would remember Mai Huni as the loving wife of Mr Huni, a role played by Stephen Chigorimbo in the soapie.

She used to play the good wife to Mr Huni – a local businessman and mother to Joyce – played by Tinopona ‘Tin Tin’ Katsande alongside the likes of Nevernay Chinyanga aka Muwengwa.

After the announcement of her death, messages of condolence from her fans and onscreen colleagues started pouring in on social media.

Among the first to send condolences was her onscreen daughter — Joyce.

A grief stricken Tin Tin posted: “My soul is crying . . . my soul is crying . . . my soul is crying . . .”

Hillary Indie who acted as James on Studio 263 said: “Mai Huni vazorore murugare. Sleep well sham sham, we’ll miss you Mai Joice. When Studio 263 makes a return, it won’t be the same without you.”

Radio personality Tendai Chakanyuka who played the role of Aunty Mandy Huni, sister to John Huni in the soapie said: “shattered, numb, aaah mai Joice askana. Joyce muzukuru wangu toiteiko?

“Famba zvakanaka Charmaine shamwari.”

Mai Huni’s death has yet again robbed Zimbabwe of another veteran in the game after the death of Bulawayo based producer Joe Maseko and one of the Rusike brothers Brian this week.

Brian was found dead at his house in Harare while Maseko succumbed to bronchitis last Saturday.

According to reports Brian’s decomposing body was found by his friend and he is reported to have died two months ago.

Rusike was part of the group Pied Pipers and is famed for composing the popular track Ruva Rangu, which dominated charts in the 80s and 90s.