Online Reporter
‘Barna’s passing away has hurt me deeply. I did not realise that our show at Jongwe Corner (March 29) was actually our final farewell.’
Prince Mushawevato
DEATH almost always casts a dark shadow over families and communities.
In some cases, the air becomes thick with accusations and counter-accusations over the deceased’s cause of death.
When foul play is suspected, particularly when the deceased was in the prime of their youth, dissing tracks like “Ndiwe Wakauraya” often dominate night vigils in days before burial.
The passing away of Barnabas “Barna” Mandipota was no exception.
The Orchestra Mberikwazvo member died on Sunday last week at the age of 35 after a short illness.
From the moment the multi-talented artiste’s untimely death was announced, social media erupted as fans from rival sungura camps traded accusations of witchcraft.
Some fellow artistes, friends and family members offered equally damning theories as they struggled to make sense of the tragedy.
The reaction was expected, considering the significant influence the late vocalist had during his short stint with the ensemble.
His creative approach to stagecraft and his remarkable voice added a new dimension to the group’s established act.
For those harbouring cynical motives, the tragedy provided a convenient “opportunity” to discredit the leader of an ensemble that has dominated the genre for nearly three decades.
During the funeral wake at the entertainer’s home in Nyatsime, Chitungwiza, mourners gathered in hushed clusters.
They mused over possible causes of death in cautious whispers, wary of eavesdroppers.
One dominant narrative attributed Barna’s demise to his recent move from Mark Ngwazi’s band to the Alick Macheso-led Orchestra Mberikwazvo.
Some accused Ngwazi of being cross with the artiste for abandoning him for “greener pastures”, while others accused Macheso and certain Orchestra Mberikwazvo band members of dabbling in juju (traditional medicine) and casting a spell on Barna.
The speculation did not stop there.
Even the deceased’s wife was drawn into the controversy.
A vocal section of fans suspected her of domestic violence after images emerged showing a deep wound around Barna’s neck — an injury he reportedly did not have during his last stage appearance in Harare on March 29.
While it was initially reported that the versatile backing vocalist, dancer and drummer had succumbed to a severe toothache — a claim first made by his wife — images circulating on social media and his sudden death left many unconvinced.
However, post-mortem results put paid to suggestions of foul play.
Fastmove Mandipota, the family spokesperson and elder brother of the late artiste, cleared the air on Tuesday ahead of Barna’s burial in Kadoma.
“The doctors advised us that he developed a boil on his neck, which was left unattended for months, leading to severe complications,” he explained.
“The medical report stated that the infection had become systemic and the pus-filled growth was affecting his lungs. We were told he suffered acute respiratory failure, which ultimately led to his death.”
At the funeral wake, fellow band members appeared visibly disturbed and distraught.
Orchestra Mberikwazvo frontman Alick Macheso was particularly shocked.
“Shuwa Barna; ndizvo zvawafunga kuita izvi? (Honestly Barna, is this what you have chosen to do?)” Macheso asked rhetorically, tears streaming down his cheeks as he gazed at the casket at the Nyatsime home.
In a faint, husky voice, he continued: “Tanga tiri kushanda zvakanaka wani, tichifara; zvino chaipa chii kuti undishainire kudai? Kundisekesa nenyika shuwa? (We were working so well together in happiness; what went wrong for you to leave me like this? To make me a laughing stock of the world?)”
Baba Sharo, as the revered singer is fondly known, also addressed rumours of foul play.
“If I am the one responsible for his death, let God punish me.
“Barna’s passing away has hurt me deeply. I did not realise that our show at Jongwe Corner (March 29) was actually our final farewell,” he said, sobbing.
Charismatic dancer and choreographer Selemani “Majuice” Mpochi was equally devastated.
“This is a massive blow to our group. I am struggling to find the words,” he said.
“Barnabas was exceptionally talented and full of energy; we all knew that. We are shocked that he could not pull through this. He is simply irreplaceable and while we must move forward, we will never truly replace him.”
The wider music industry also felt the tremor of his loss.
Veteran chanter Gift “Shiga Shiga” Katilika said: “We are pained, but there is no one we can blame. They tell us he succumbed to a toothache and that is what we have to go by since an autopsy was performed.”
Mbira musician Vee Mhofu noted: “This is a significant dent in our industry. We have lost a dedicated and gifted artiste.”
Meanwhile, Spencer Khumbulani — Somandla Ndebele’s manager and Barna’s former colleague at Denda Brothers — recalled their long history.
“I met him in Kadoma when he was still learning drums. We worked together at Gakamoto Jumbo Stars, then with Somandla Ndebele before he left to join Mark Ngwazi and eventually Macheso. His loss is felt deeply by both his family and the band.”
Barna is survived by a pregnant wife and four young children.
