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Trust Khosa
MUSIC teacher and songwriter, Emmanuel “Mr Chacks” Chakanyuka, says his heart still bleeds for the victims of Cyclone Freddy.
He taught music in Blantyre, Malawi, for five years before tragedy hit the country in February.
He has toured most of the districts which were hit by Cyclone Freddy.
Mr Chacks has now penned a song dubbed Pepani aMalawi.
It was recorded at T& C Records by Trust Chipisa.
It has visuals supplied by the Embassy of Malawi in Zimbabwe and BBC, among other television channels.
Mr Chacks, who is a schoolteacher at Nattie Junior in Borrowdale, did the song in Chewa, Shona, Swahili, Tonga and English to cater for more people.
He also collaborated with Nqobile Malinga, who did some poetry, Pax Gomo, Mr Spoxx and the Chipisa brothers – Trust and Gift.
Mr Chacks says he still has fond memories of Malawi.
“A lot of people died during the Cyclone and some of them are not yet accounted for.
“There is a whole village which was wiped out by the cyclone and I had just left the area to be with my family in Zimbabwe.
“I have toured some of the ravaged districts like Mulanji, Chilobwe and Chiladzula, which were destroyed in the southern part of Malawi.”
Besides his new single, the 47-year-old music instructor has another production called Last Supper.
Backed by The Sermons Vibes Band, Mr. Chacks comes from a musical family.
He was inspired by the late Aaron Chinamira, who fronted Dendende Express.
He was born in Gutu and trained at Marymount Teachers College in Mutare.
Mr Chacks taught at several schools in Zimbabwe and other countries.
He was the first music technician at Midlands State University.
He also runs a musical programme on National FM during the weekend.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter