Insiza Brothers still alive

Joe, who took over leadership of the outfit after the death founder Marko Sibanda in 2004 made the assertion during an interview in which he also reflected on the group’s rugged musical journey after Sibanda.

He claims their absence from the limelight has been caused partly by their failure to participate at national events especially Independence, Heroes and Unity Galas. Joe implored the organisers to remember Insiza Brothers still exist.

Joe ranks his upcoming six-track album “Zvemuguta” a master-piece, but said collaborations will make it a success.
“I have always been in very good books with both Sulu and Jah Prayzah musically and I am consulting them to give me a hand to that effect. I strongly believe Insiza Brothers can even transcend its thrilling ‘Jambanja Pahotera’ or ‘Pane Nyaya’ identity of more than a decade ago,” he promised.

Since Sibanda’s death, Joe said their musical journey had been a gruelling one that also coupled with a myriad of misfortunes. He said the two albums they produced did not reward much, albeit with the potential to pose overwhelming competition on the market.

“Our first album was ‘Ndaizivei’ which I did with Gevas Mhasvi who has since left the group and ‘Charewa PaCharewa’ also known as “Coin” which I composed. Although the two pieces could have elevated us to dizzy heights the projects fell by the wayside due to piracy and lack of adequate promotion,” he lamented.

“In 2008, my wife Metren Ndlovu subsequently deserted me after she claimed that I had failed to yield a livelihood for the family. She also took away my son, Logen. In her view, I was realising much, but spending the money yet the group as a whole was in severe financial doldrums, he argued.

In 2010, with the group failing to break even and the members resorting to menial piece-jobs, Joe almost went to jail after he caused a veld fire in Karoi.
After clinching a mini-contract of preparing a fire guard around a site close to Hurungwe District Police Headquarters, Joe instead of slashing used fire which went out of control before destroying tracts of land overlooking Karoi dam.

He was subsequently sentenced to 105 hours of community service which he performed at Karoi Police Station.
As if that was not enough, in February 2011, the group’s drummer Paradzai Mandimu was jailed 12 years effective for rape thereby paralysing the group.

At the moment, Joe says all is under control as his group currently has a lucrative contract with Karoi Town Council. The group performs in the council’s liquor outlets.
According to Joe, the group’s greatest challenge at the moment is lack of a band manager. Joe says Insiza owes much to music promoters Partson Chimbodza and Richard Ziki of Karoi for their invaluable support over the years.

Presently Insiza Brothers consists of nine members among them Chris Chigeza, Moses Black Zacharriah, Ishmael Malunda, Mensen Kusaya, Last Mwanza, Ericson Nzvimbo, Crispen Fundai and Norman Dzomba.