adminMelissa Mpofu Showbiz Editor
A CONCERT to raise funds to repatriate Chiedza Brown’s body from the United States of America for burial in Zimbabwe will be held in Harare today. Chiedza, 15, the youngest daughter of Zimbabwean music legends Andy Brown and Chiwoniso “Chi’’ Maraire, took her life a week ago in Texas, where she had been living with her aunt Tawona Maraire.
The fundraising concert being held under the ‘#BringChiedzaHome’ banner will feature performances by artistes, Jah Prayzah, Tehn Diamond, Hope Masike, Prudence Katomeni, Guspy Warrior, Ba Shupi, Roki, Alexio, Victor Kunonga, MetaPhysics and Chiedza’s sister; Ammara Brown at Alliance Francaise.
Organisers of the concert have called on fans of Andy, and Chiwoniso to support the cause. Meanwhile, Ammara yesterday shared her memories with Chiedza. Taking to her Facebook fan page, Ammara narrated how Chiedza was born prematurely and was given special treatment by their father.
“I remember when she was a toddler, daddy would treat her differently. I asked, immaturely, ‘Daddy, why do you spoil Chiedza?’ He said ‘She’s a premature baby. I’ve been reading a book on psychology, which explains that premature babies are more sensitive than other children. You must parent differently’.
“From then on I treated Chiedza as daddy advised, and God knows, she turned out to be the most kind-hearted and loving soul of us all,” Ammara recounted.
“Backstage at ZIFF 2011, daddy asked ‘Mmara have you heard Chiedza play mbira?’ We went backstage to hear her, beautifully playing what later became Next Lifetime. Sadly by 2012 Chiedza, Chiwoniso and I were dedicating it to our father who had then passed away.”
Ammara spoke of the inexplicable pain she felt last week when her other sister, Shahla told her that Chiedza had taken her own life. “My sister Shahla banged on my door at 3AM, wailing, last Sunday telling me my little sister Chiedza had taken her own life. After a few seconds of gut-wrenching shock, there was an inexplicable pain in my womb, and I soon went into a painful state of hysteria, uncontrollable cries . . . I couldn’t utter a single word for hours and hours.”
She said Chiedza probably committed suicide after failing to cope with the loss of both parents. “Speaking to her, she (Chiedza) was always putting on a brave smile, but perhaps losing both parents was too much . . . Perhaps being away from home was too much. I’m struggling to understand.
“Acceptance is a mountain of a task for me at this point and I’m at a great loss for comfort. Maybe when she gets home, I’ll feel the beginning of peace.” Ammara said Chiedza, an up-and-coming singer, painter and actress, was, like her mother, gifted in playing the Mbira.
“She was an incredibly caring person who had dreams of pursuing her art and music. Above and beyond losing a young mbira queen, we have lost an angelic soul. No laugh can replace hers, and her sweet voice is still echoing in my head. “I’ll remember her for her true innocence and warm spirit. I’ll miss my mbira partner, but most of all, I’ll miss my baby sister.”
Online Reporter