AS each year comes with its ups and downs, the showbiz industry and the nation at large were plunged into mourning following the death of entertainers. The death of the creatives has left a void in the sector that will be difficult to fill. May the artists souls continue to rest in peace. As the curtains come down on the year in a few days, NewsDay Life & Style takes a look at some of the creatives who have joined the angels in heaven.
Bob “The Headmaster” Nyabinde
Veteran Afro-jazz musician Bob Nyabinde breathed his last on December 23, aged 68 after suffering from diabetes for the past five years.
Nyabinde, who was mourned through music, dance and poetry was laid to rest yesterday at Kwekwe Central Cemetery in Mbizo, Kwekwe.
He was popularly known as “The Headmaster”, having initially pursued a career in education, working as a teacher and rising to become a headmaster at several primary schools before transitioning to a full-time music career. Nyabinde led the Savanna Band and his music typically tackled social themes.
He was famed for his 2002 debut album Pane Nyaya, that features hits Chabuda Hapana and Mombe Yasamanyika. His discography includes Ndiratidze Mumwe Chete (2004), Teerera (2006) and Anzwa Hama (2013).
Mbuya Chiweshe
In January, the showbiz sector lost veteran mbira musician Mbuya Stella Chiweshe. She was 76. Mbuya Chiweshe was born in Mujumi village, Mhondoro. She was a rebel musician who played a part in transforming the local music scene in the 1970s.
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She had the guts to play the mbira which at the time was male dominated. Chiweshe was also an actress, who played a role in the film Mbuya Nehanda, which tells the story of a spirit medium who was executed after leading a rebellion against British occupation in the 19th century.
Ellen Tungwarara
Veteran arts practitioner Ellen Tungwarara (nee Zanza) who was based in South Africa passed on in March. She succumbed to a stroke that was triggered by high blood pressure. She was the wife of the late actor Ozias Tungwarara. Having studied arts at the University of Zimbabwe, Tungwarara later co-founded the Zimbabwe Association of Community Theatre and Taako Theatre Company in 1982. The association played a pivotal role in fighting for the inclusion of women in theatre productions in post-independent Zimbabwe.
Kelly Rusike
Prominent musician Kelly Rusike who was Jazz Invitation frontman died on May 17. The veteran music producer, singer, songwriter and bass player was 59. The jazz musician died from diabetic complications. The award-winning bass strummer rose to fame as part of The Rusike Brothers, a band that consisted of him and four siblings in the 1990s.
Diva Mafunga
Renowned gospel musician Davies Mafunga died in a road traffic accident in July along the Harare-Bulawayo Highway. He was 50. Mafunga was buried at his rural home in Mt Darwin.
The musician rose to fame through his debut album titled Endai Naizvozvo recorded at Shed Studios in 2003. His discography carried other albums including Fambai Nekutenda (2004), Pfuurirai Mberi (2005) and Ndicharamba Ndichidana (2007), Spiritual Battle, Zvangu Zvaita and Ndatenda Ndapinda.
Insimbi ZeZhwane members
Matabeleland-based rhumba music group Insimbi ZeZhwane’s founder and lead vocalist Elvis “MaEli” Mathe and drummer Thembinkosi Mpofu, popularly known as Maviri, died in a road traffic accident in August. The accident happened at the 200km peg along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway. MaEli was laid to rest at his rural home in Magabelana village, Tsholotsho while Maviri was buried at Luveve cemetery in Bulawayo.
Susan Hains
Veteran creative and former chairperson of the National Theatre Organisation of Zimbabwe Susan Hains, breathed her last in August after a long illness. She was 81. Her body was cremated at Glen Forest Memorial Park in Harare. Born on December 13, 1942 in England, Hains was instrumental in the creation of legislation which saw the establishment of the arts mother body, National Arts Council of Zimbabwe in 1985 from the ashes of the National Arts Foundation. She has been key to the arts sector where she nurtured many theatre producers, directors and administrators who have become the backbone of the sector in Zimbabwe today.
Robson Kaitano
Veteran sungura musician Robson Kaitano died in August after a long battle with cancer. He was 69. Kaitano was laid to rest at his rural home in Goromonzi, Mashonaland East province. The musician made his name in the cut-throat secular music industry in the late 1970s with hit songs such as Deredzai Pfuma Vatezvara, Tambai Kongonya, Kuseni Seni and Hondo Yakarwiwa Kare.
Garry Mapanzure
Talented Afro-pop musician Garikai “Garry” Mapanzure died on October 13 after sustaining injuries in an accident that occurred along the Beitbridge-Masvingo Highway. He was 25.
Mapanzure’s death put the country’s healthcare system on the spotlight as his family criticised the government for a poor health delivery system. Mapanzure was said to have waited for 12 hours for an ambulance, with critics saying he could have survived had the healthcare system been efficient.
Terry Gee
On December 16, Chitungwiza-bred gospel singer and actor Terry Gee succumbed to a cardiac arrest at Arundel Hospital. He was 36 and was buried at Zororo Memorial Park along Seke Road. Born Tichaona Terrence Green, Terry Gee was using a wheelchair for mobility after he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth.
Despite the medical condition, Terry Gee defied the odds to become a recognised musician and actor in the competitive showbiz scene. As an actor, Terry Gee in 2003, featured on the ZBC TV drama series Zviri Mudzimba.
Eric Moyo
Gospel musician Eric Moyo who was based in South Africa died on Wednesday aged 41. Moyo passed on at the Port Elizabeth Hospital in Cape Town amid reports that he had suffered a stroke and collapsed on the stage during a performance.
He was a member of famous Joyous Celebration Choir. Moyo rose to stardom as part of local search show, A-Academy in 2006, where he finished in the top three. About a year later, Moyo became the first winner of Idols East Africa, beating Nicolette Kiiga of Kenya for the top prize.
