Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
ORCHESTRA Mberikwazvo dancer, drummer and backing vocalist Barnabas Mandipota, who died on Sunday, will be laid to rest in Bikita, Masvingo, tomorrow.
Family spokesperson, Fastmove Mandipota, said the talented star left behind a pregnant wife and four kids.
“We are still at the hospital awaiting post-mortem results; then we will hold a service and take his body to our rural home in Chiremwaremwa Village in Bikita, where burial has been set for Wednesday (tomorrow), if all goes according to plan,” he said.
“We will be guided by the family as we want to give him a decent burial.
“Fans and friends have been showing us true love by commiserating with us since we announced his death.”
He said Barna left a young family behind.
“He is survived by four children, the eldest aged 10 years.
“Barna’s wife is also pregnant, so you can see the additional challenge we now have as a family.
“It’s painful to see people die, but there is nothing we can do about it.”
Orchestra Mberikwazvo spokesperson, Tich Makahamadze, said they were still coming to terms with Barna’s death.
“It is hard to accept that he is gone just like that, but there is nothing we can do,” Makahamadze said.
“Last Thursday he came for our Tanza show, but we excused him since he was unwell with a toothache.
“We did not travel with him to Mutare because he was receiving treatment in Chitungwiza.
“Barna even told us that he was responding well to medication, and we thought he would soon rejoin the band for future assignments.
“We were all shocked after hearing that Barna was no more, and it is hard to take.”
Makahamadze revealed that they will do their best to ensure Barna receives a decent burial befitting the top musician he was.
“We are also playing our part as a band since we worked together well, but the family is leading us.
“We never had challenges with him; he was a professional who thoroughly enjoyed his job. He was punctual and versatile, as you saw during most of our shows,” Makahamadze said.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) spokesperson, Agga Nyabinde, also shared heartfelt condolences with the Mandipota family and the Orchestra Mberikwazvo camp.
“As the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe, we are deeply saddened by the passing of Barnabas Mandipota and we commiserate with his family, Alick Macheso and the entire Orchestra Mberikwazvo family.
“We are praying that they find comfort from the Lord, our healer. He was still young with plenty to offer but in life there are some things we don’t have control over,” Nyabinde said.
Somandla “Mafia” Ndebele, who identified Barna in Kadoma where he used to stay with his mother and auditioned him, was equally devastated by the loss.
“To me, he was more like a son from the day we picked him up in Kadoma and worked with him for four to five years,” recalled the Denda Brothers leader.
“He was a talented musician who was equally good as a drummer, backing vocalist and dancer.
“I recorded two albums — ‘Ndipei Nguva’ in 2011 and ‘Zvemberi Makasi’ — before he left to join Mark Ngwazi.
“We remained in touch even after he left my band, since he would come for recordings and other live shows. When he joined Alick Macheso, I also gave him my blessings.”
Several musicians, arts promoters and friends have been sending glowing tributes for Barna.
derick.khumalo