Online Reporter
Trust Khosa-Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
DEATH can be cruel at times, yet it remains an unavoidable part of life.
Today is a special occasion for the followers of Simple Music of Original Kanindo (Smoko) as we remember its creator, Fanuel “System” Tazvida.
He breathed his last on February 4, 1999, at the age of 31.
Tazvida died at the peak of his career after a long illness.
The Chazezesa Challengers founder would have turned 58 on May 2 this year.
Sadly, his birthday will be remembered posthumously, while today we focus on the day he took his final breath.
He left a significant gap that is hard to fill, and many of his peers will honour him for the impressive body of work he created over the years. Despite his departure, he left behind a rich catalogue of songs that resonates with many generations.
Reflecting on the veteran singer’s musical life, Barbara Mabuyaye, the widow of Fanuel “System” Tazvida, noted that the late singer was a creative genius who had much to offer.
Barbara Mabuyaye
“I still miss him, and it’s hard to believe it’s now 27 years without him,” she shared.
“Sometimes I feel like he will come back and be with me, giving me true love. I will always miss the quality time we spent together and all those memories we created as husband and wife.”
Tazvida’s widow told Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub that she had learned to reinvent herself for survival’s sake.
“I have accepted the fact that I am a widow, but I need to work because tears won’t put food on the table. Though the wound is still fresh, I find relief because System taught me to work hard. I buy and sell like most ladies out there, and I don’t regret it because I am not begging like many widows,” she stated.
She noted that Tazvida empowered her while he was still alive.
“I learned a lot from Tazvida, who used to give me money to run my business. He earned well, but as his wife, I had to contribute by working for myself and playing my part,” she recalled.
Unlike other widows who survive on food handouts, Mabuyaye has urged them to work hard.
“I believe in hard work and networking. Being a widow does not mean the end of the world, and I am glad to be playing my part in that mission.”
She also expressed her gratitude for the money she receives from royalties.
“My husband worked hard, and I can safely say I am still surviving on some of the royalties I receive. I’m not sure how they calculate them, but I am just content with what I have because I also work for myself,” she emphasised.
When asked how the family would honour Tazvida today, Mabuyaye stressed, “We don’t have a big event lined up, but we are going to lay some flowers on his grave as usual.
We can still do a belated memorial for him, as we dedicate the whole of February to him. We have been doing this for years and will continue to do so,” she added.
With Smoko fans eager for continuity, the surviving members of Chazezesa Challengers have struggled over the years.
Fellow band members, including Leeroy Kamusena, Peter (who is deceased), and Isaac Tazvida, have all tried their best to revive Smoko music.
Lucky Mumriki was also part of the illustrious Chazezesa Challengers but is now at home due to a stroke.
He had a successful stint with Alick Macheso’s Orchestra Mberiwazvo before falling ill in 2011.
He has been on the sidelines for the past 15 years, raising doubts about his return to work. Last year, he recounted how he still misses Tazvida. “It still pains me each time we mark his anniversary because we came a long way,” said Mumriki.
“We met in 1990 at Sungura Boys, led by the late Ephraim Joe. I was the youngest in the band, but I was determined to learn the ropes under his guidance. We worked there for three years, but I left Sungura Boys with System Tazvida to form our own band.”
Determined to succeed, he convinced System to record two singles to test the market.
“System Tazvida, a talented vocalist, assumed leadership of the group, but I was a co-founder of Chazezesa Challengers. We recruited the likes of Joseph January, Lazarus Zhakata, and Aaron Chinamira Chakanyuka. Surprisingly, Aaron, who was playing lead guitar, backed out just before we were set to record new singles, and we brought in Wilson Musa. We recorded the two songs “Vaforomani” and “Bhuku Rerudo,” and everything became history,” re-called Mumriki.
He later taught System’s younger brother, Peter Tazvida, to play bass guitar.
Tragically, Peter died in August 2002.
With all the fame he achieved at Chazezesa Challengers, Mumiriki only started making a fortune at Orchestra Mberikwazvo.
“There was nothing meaningful that I can say I achieved at Chazezesa Challengers besides fame.
“The only things I acquired were household utensils, but I obtained a house under Macheso. It’s quite unfortunate that I suffered a stroke in 2011, and Macheso hasn’t forsaken me,” he added.
With Smoko fans ready to remember their paymaster, he shared some advice.
“I simply urge them to continue celebrating the legend and buying his authentic music from online stores and other platforms.
“We played our part, and we will all follow him. He was in a league of his own and deserves to be respected and honoured among other departed legends,” he stressed.
