adminMbuya Dyoko died in the early hours of Sunday at her St Mary’s home in Chitungwiza after battling liver cirrhosis for the past seven years.
Family spokesperson and daughter to the late mbira musician Stella Togarepi described Mbuya Dyoko as a loving mother, not only to her family but also to the community.
“She took care of widows and orphans in her community. Many aspiring mbira players would come for lessons at her home. She also toured overseas and would come with goodies which she gave to children in the streets. She was also a loving mother who took good care of us,” she said. Mbuya Dyoko’s backing group, Black Souls, said the mbira fraternity has lost a dedicated cadre as she was a teacher to all. They said the gap she has left would be difficult to fill.
Born on November 23 1944 in Zvimba, Mbuya Dyoko became the first female mbira player to record her music commercially in the 1960s. She penned the famous Nhemamusasa, Kuenzera, Baba Munyaradzi and Taireva. She was widely known for her song Makuwerere, which made waves in the 1990s. She leaves behind three children and 21 grandchildren.
Online Reporter