By Munacho Gwamanda -Charles Nyoni, Zimbabwe’s biggest man and the world’s second-tallest individual, has died. 

Affectionately known as ‘Big Charlie,’ Nyoni passed away yesterday morning at St Patrick’s Hospital in Empumalangadue to complications related to high blood pressure. 

He was 59.

“He was rushed to the hospital on Thursday night last week and had been receiving treatment since then. We were hopeful that he would recover, but unfortunately, he did not make it,” said Ms. Ndlovu, a family spokesperson.

She added that the family was deeply devastated by his passing and was still deliberating on funeral arrangements.

Mourners are gathered at his home in A52 Lwendulu Village, Hwange.

Standing at 2.1 meters (6 feet 11 inches) and weighing 300 kilograms, Nyoni was just 41 centimeters shorter than the world’s tallest man, Turkey’s Sultan Kösen. 

His remarkable size made him a beloved figure in Hwange and beyond, drawing curious visitors eager to meet Zimbabwe’s ‘gentle giant.’

Nyoni’s physical stature was matched by his legendary appetite.

He was known to drink tea from a teapot instead of a mug and required meals that could feed three men.

 He famously ate a whole chicken in one sitting and wore a size 22 shoe—a rarity even among professional athletes.

For years, many locals mistakenly believed his surname was Gumbo due to his exceptionally large feet.

His reputation grew beyond Hwange, with tourists making detours just to catch a glimpse of the man whose hands could engulf a regular-sized plate.

Big Charlie’s extraordinary growth was caused by gigantic acromegaly, a rare disorder linked to excessive production of growth hormones. 

The condition often leads to health complications and reduced life expectancy.

He revealed in an interview with Zimpapers that by the time he was 11, no children’s shoe size could accommodate his feet. 

His mother initially bought him Farmer Shoes, but he quickly outgrew even the largest size.

At 17, he underwent medical tests at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare, but financial challenges prevented him from completing treatment.

Raised by a single mother, Nyoni’s life was marked by tragedy—his father was among the 427 miners who perished in the 1972 Kamandama Mine Disaster, one of Zimbabwe’s worst mining accidents.

Nyoni was employed at Hwange Colliery Company as a builder and refuse collector before being retrenched in 2012.

His immense strength became the stuff of legend—while his co-workers struggled to carry 50kg bags of cement in pairs, Big Charlie could lift four at once.

Due to his size, the Colliery Company struggled to find suitable overalls and safety shoes for him. 

At one point, they commissioned a shoe manufacturer to create custom-made footwear for him, but production halted when the company ran out of special materials.

Despite losing his job, Nyoni remained a local icon, attracting tourists who wanted to meet Zimbabwe’s ‘biggest man.’ 

Visitors to Hwange often sought him out for photos, fascinated by his larger-than-life presence.

Tour operators occasionally included him in their itineraries, recognizing his unique appeal in a town best known for its wildlife.

In 2020, Nyoni expressed his desire to meet First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, hoping she could assist in improving his quality of life.

He struggled with mobility due to his size and often faced difficulties using public transport, as many drivers refused to accommodate him.

“I would like to meet Amai venyika, Amai Mnangagwa, so she can see and appreciate my plight. I cannot walk, my car is down, and public transport operators won’t allow me on board,” he told the Sunday News at the time.

His hopes were raised when ZANU-PF official Victor Matemadanda visited him and assured him that the First Lady would come. 

However, the visit never materialized, and Nyoni passed away with that wish unfulfilled.

Nyoni’s death marks the end of an era for Hwange, where he was not just a local celebrity but also an unofficial tourist attraction. 

His presence added to the unique character of the coal-mining town, and he will be remembered for his strength, resilience, and warm personality.

Funeral arrangements are still being finalized, but Hwange mourns the loss of one of its most remarkable figures—a man whose size was matched only by the enormity of his story.