Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
THE widow of the late sungura legend System Tazvida, Barbara Mabuyaye, is counting her losses after a devastating fire tore through part of her home in Unit N, Chitungwiza.
It destroyed property and left four rooms badly damaged.
The fire broke out last weekend while Barbara was at work.
Neighbours battled to douse the flames.
Although no lives were lost, the incident has left her shaken and facing yet another difficult chapter in her life.
Tazvida’s younger brother, Isaac, was at the house when the fire broke out.
Narrating her ordeal, Barbra said:
“Words are not enough to explain the pain that I am going through at the moment.
“Part of my house was damaged by fire while I was away at work. Babamunini Isaac was in the house when the inferno started.
“I was told the fire was caused by an overheated stove in his room, which later spread and damaged four rooms.
“The window panes were shattered and some of my property was destroyed.”
She added:
“The fire was a bit mysterious because my bedroom was not damaged. “From what I gathered from neighbours, Babamunini Isaac was drunk when the fire broke out.
“He did nothing to extinguish the fire because he was heavily intoxicated.
“My neighbours are the ones who did their best to put out the fire. I would like to thank my neighbours for the wonderful job they did.”
Barbara, who survives through various small businesses, is now appealing to well-wishers for assistance as she begins rebuilding her home.
“I didn’t want to bring this matter to the public because social media trolls always end up calling me all sorts of names.
“I have been a victim of cyberbullying but right now things are not well for me.
“I can’t stand this anymore but I know God has a reason for everything.
“My relationship with God is now at another level and I can’t thank Him enough.”
Barbara, who lost her husband in 1999, said life as a widow has taught her resilience and the importance of hard work.
“After losing my husband, I learnt the hard way that I had to work hard.
“I am involved in buying and selling but, like everyone else, we face many challenges in life.
“In my case, I have learnt to be hardworking and I will always do my best to provide for myself.”
Friends, neighbours and fellow members of the arts community have since expressed sympathy following the incident.
Many are describing Barbra as a resilient woman who has endured years of hardship while preserving the legacy of one of Zimbabwe’s greatest sungura musicians.
Despite the setback, she remains hopeful that well-wishers, friends and members of the public will assist her during this difficult period.
Barbara is among the widows of musicians who have formed an association aimed at empowering and supporting one another.
She has also remained vocal about her late husband’s estate and royalty entitlements, a stance that has earned her respect among other widows of musicians who believe they have been short-changed by local royalty collection bodies.
Despite suffering yet another painful setback, Barbara says she refuses to allow the tragedy to define her.
Drawing strength from her faith and the support of her community, she remains determined to rebuild her home and continue safeguarding the legacy of the late System Tazvida.
