adminDuring their lifetime, these icons made a huge impact on people’s lives which they would have changed for the better, and continue to impact on even after their death.
Back home, the birth and death days of our national heroes are always remembered and their history is chronicled to remind people of the contribution that they made to the nation.
Sadly, the birthday of one of the country’s music icons, the late sungura musician, Tongai Moyo who was born on March 12 1968, passed unnoticed.
This was supposed to be his 45th birthday after he succumbed to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer on October 15 2011.
Speaking on behalf of Jazz 105, manager of the joint Yasin Dhala bemoaned the lack of an event to mark the momentous day, saying shows should be organised in future to coincide and commemorate Dhewa’s birthday.
“Dhewa never held a show at Jazz 105 and he was supposed to hold his first performance at the venue after he had proposed a date himself. Unfortunately, his health condition further deteriorated and the show never materialsed.
“What we are saying is that this year, there should have been some occasion held to commemorate his birthday and I feel it’s not too late since this can be done as a belated commemoration,” Yasin said.
He added: “I also feel that all the promoters, fellow musicians and other interested people and corporates should arrange such a commemoration in future not for Dhewa’s birthday alone, but also for other artistes as well, as this will serve to remind people of the life and times of these great personalities.”
Talented rhythm guitarist Innocent Mijintu, who is now playing with Energy Mutodi after leaving the late Leonard Dembo’s Barura Express and Alick Macheso’s Orchestra Mberikwazvo, also said this was a big day that should not pass just like any other.
“Dhewa was a great musician whom many people adored. They always followed everything about him closely and wanted to know as much as possible about his private life to the extent of knowing the day and year he was born, his family life, the food he ate, his taste for fashion and, of course, his music.
“We are therefore expecting something big to be held for him since his birthday fell just a few days ago,” Mijintu said.
Last year, 10 dance groups from the Zimbabwe Dancers Association converged in Harare to pay tribute to Dhewa.
It remains to be seen whether this time around they will repeat the same feat.
Online Reporter