Death foretold

impression that they could see death around the corner or at least hint at their own passing.
This premonition often happens to our favourite artistes maybe days, months, years or long after we have forgotten that they were heaven bound.
One of the musicians who sang quite a lot about his death was the slain American rapper Tupac Shakur, who sang albeit passionately about his death in such songs as “I Wonder If Heaven Got a Ghetto”, “Bury Me A G” or “How Long Will They Mourn Me”.
And also his arch-rival — the Notorious B.I.G aka Biggie Smalls — even recorded a double album titled  “Life After Death” and his debut “Ready To Die”.
Well, while the two legendary rappers were victims of East Coast/West Coast gang-related violence, Zimbabwean musicians have been victims of different circumstances.
Some died in accidents and others due to sickness, it is all the more startling that they all could smell death at some point in song.
The Herald went back into time to find out just how appropriate the songs were before the musicians died and what followed after the musicians released the songs.
Presenting “Zimbabwe’s Best of 10 swansongs” of our time and below is the list of departed musicians and their songs which gave us an idea of their demise.
There is a legend about a bird (swan) that, when about to approach its death, would sing one of its finest tunes  before finally breathing its last, and this became known as the swansong.
Some musicians, like the swan in the legend, sang some of their best songs facing their death beds, so to speak, which to an extent, became prophetic about their imminent death and could probably follow after they were gone.
Top 10 list:
10: Prince Tendai — “Something Mysterious”
All was going on well for Prince Tendai Mupfurutsa until the split second twist of fate hit him. His story is well documented to an extent that for some reason his fans still ask “What If?”
After he promoted the much-hyped gig “The Real Deal Concert” Prince Tendai had an accident which affected his mobility.
Months later, he could not talk and suffered what is commonly known as the motor neuron disease. He spent months getting treatment in Asia and while he was being hospitalised, he made an effort to release a single called “Something Mysterious” in which he spoke of his illness.
Prince Tendai —the barbed wire maestro — died last year and was buried at Mupfurutsa Village in Hurungwe.

9: System Tazvida — “Tave Kuparadzana”
For all his jovial mood and comic lyrics, the late Fanuel Tazvida of the “Smoko” fame did not mince his words in the song “Tave Kuparadzana”.
System — a “man of the people” — popularised the “Smoko” brand and sang about love and life in general.
In “Tave Kuparadzana” System hinted at his death, bidding farewell to his erstwhile friends and family.

8: Samson Mtukudzi — “Mweya”
We believe this song still touches a lot of people not because of the lyrics but because Sam’s death came too soon.
He is the youngest of all the musicians on the list and most importantly is that his tragic death came at a time when everything was looking up for him, musically that is.
Coincidentally, if Daisy’s testimonial is anything to go by, it was Sam’s favourite song, which he sang to her soon after he wrote it.
It’s a beautiful song but a sad reminder of how Sam had sensed his own death. 

7: Paul Matavire — “Handirambi”
From the tone of the lyrics you know that you are listening to a sad song and it does not take much effort to learn this especially when dealing with a wordsmith like Paul “Dr Love” Matavire.
The visually impaired singer, who once did time for rape brought a sombre mood in the song as he speaks on behalf of Aids patients and dedicated the song to his children.
His main concern was that if he were to die, who would take care of his toddler (“rusvava”). He says death was inevitable but asks if there was a way to cheat it.
6: Sekuru Gora — “Kana Ndafa”
The message in this song is very clear and according to Sekuru Gora, he had one wish, and that is to be buried in an anthill.
Traditionally, villagers want to be buried where they are comfortable and an anthill is one such place which is suitable. The song “Kana Ndafa” used to get airplay on ZBCTV and in no time, we heard that Sekuru Gora had passed on. Who could forget the lyrics “kana ndafa guva rangu isai pachuru . . .”

5: Tongai Moyo — “Handidi Navo”
Here is one musician whose death still conjures a lot of memories. Tongai, or simply Dhewa, died after succumbing to non-Hodgkins lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the blood cells.
In the song “Handidi Navo” Dhewa foretold his own death and although he was not afraid to die, he was worried about his children.
All he wanted was forgiveness and that his children and their children should not be judged according to how he lived his life. Indeed, death was everywhere in his songs and as a cancer patient, he knew too well that his days were numbered.
4: Biggie Tembo — Rufu
His lyrics give many a listener the impression that everyone dies sometime and that not everyone lives forever. By titling the song “Rufu” that wasn’t a misnomer as Biggie Tembo hinted at how painful death is to those who remain. He also says there is no remedy to death, once it comes it does not miss and comes when we least expect it.
On the song he featured Oliver Mtukudzi, who has a long list of songs that speak about death too.
Biggie Tembo took his own life even though he had given himself to the Lord. It was a sad story of a man who had, according to him, had repented.

3: John Chibadura — “Zuva Rekufa Kwangu”
This is an enjoyable song whichever way you look at it, with beautiful rhythm, bass and the chorus and it is about death.
In the song Chibadura, who was affectionately known by his fans as “Mr Chitungwiza”, pleads for mercy from the Lord to at least show him the day that he will die so that he has enough time to plan. As someone who worked hard in life he also asks what will become of his wealth when he passes on.
2: James Chimombe — “Jemedza”
This is a beautiful song that warns people not to be careless in life and that people should know that there are consequences in whatever they do.
Ironically, Chimombe died months are releasing the album “Jemedza” and left people wondering whether or not words have power.

1: Marshall Munhumumwe —”Rwendo
Rwekudenga”
The leader of the Four Brothers could not have been more explicit on this song.
He likens death to a journey but there is one thing about this journey, it different from all the other journeys, he says in that journey there is only person and that the person will go it alone. There are not witnesses or anybody on the way. He also reminds people that he will go alone and so will everybody else. This got to be the song for the departed!
One music critic who requested anonymity said artistes sing about everything including love and death is an important subject because it comes to every living thing.
“We want people to prepare for it because it is a reality.”
Friday Mbirimi said there were many reasons for musicians to sing about death.
“One of reasons is that the artistes will be assuring the public that their time is running out especially those who are ill.
“However, I think there are exceptions where suppose an artiste loses their beloved ones and they write songs about that. I remember Mtukudzi (Oliver) sang “Jerry” after he lost his friend and manager Jack Sadza. So in such cases the musicians will be singing about real-life experiences.”