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Yeukai Karengezeka Entertainment reporter
None of the guest musicians billed to grace System Tazvida’s Commemoration gig held over the weekend at Book Café turned up.
Chazezesa Challengers band manager Malvin Mutowamanja said sungura ace Alick Macheso, Jah Prayzah, Nicholas Zakaria and Suluman Chimbetu were invited to attend the gig, but all failed to turn up.
“I want to apologise to the fans we disappointed but the situation was beyond our control because guest musicians told us last minute that they could not make it because of the bad weather. Anyway, we promise to compensate with another show which we will have at a later date.”
The Herald Entertainment got in touch with some of the musicians to hear their side of the story.
Macheso’s band manager William Tsandukwa said they were not aware of the gig that is why they did not come.
“We were not told of such an event even Macheso himself did not tell us anything. If we were aware we could have come” he said.
Chimbetu said “Malvin told us that they were having the gig on Friday and l went to the venue but there was no show and l thought they had cancelled it and on Saturday l had other commitments”.
In addition to failure by leading artistes to the show got a further blow due to poor attendance but the band manager said he was grateful for the small number that attended
“Although it is only a handful of people that came we are happy that we managed to launch King Tazvida as the new leading vocalist of the band and because of his performance today we have been given a slot here at Book Café every Thursday,” he said.
The young Tazvida gave a polished act and gave people the confidence that he is able to revive the Smoko legacy.
The 26-year-old sang most of Tazvida‘s hits such as “Mushandi Ndimambo”, “Anodyiwa Haature”, “Mabhauwa”, “Baba Mukuru”and “Vaforomani” that reminded the audience of the good old days.
Tazvida’s widow Barbra, who also graced the celebrations, was happy to be part of the event.
“It’s a good thing to remember my late husband but at the same time it is painful for me because l start recalling the good times we used to share together and l cannot erase the memories
“I loved him very much and I miss him terribly but l have realised that tears won’t bring him back to life,” she said. Barbra believes young Tazvida can carry on with her husband’s brand if he remains disciplined.
Tazvida was born in 1968 and died on February 4, 1999 after a long illness. He rose to stardom in the 1990s with songs such as “Anodyiwa Haataure” and “Mabhauwa”.
He worked with various bands including Sungura Boys, Mabhauwa Express and Khiama Boys before going solo to form Chazezesa Challengers.
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