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Fred Zindi Music
It is with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that I begin this article with the sad news of mbira music icon and musician, Chiwoniso Maraire’s death. She died on July 24, 2013 aged 37. Words are a scant tribute when death’s hand strikes. Her death has robbed the music fraternity of a sincere, creative, innovative, serious and dedicated singer and performer who was instrumental in bringing Zimbabwean music to a higher level.
Words cannot adequately express how I feel about the loss of such a talented musician and friend as nothing can describe the sadness and anguish that I am feeling. We offer our sympathy, prayers and compassion to her family and friends. Our loss is immeasurable. Gone too soon, the loss of her life and the immortal voice she possessed, will impact on us forever.
However on a different, I wish to inform our readers that Noel Zembe, whom I wrote about last week is recovering well. He has now been discharged from hospital.
Let me also take this opportunity to thank everyone who contributed in one way or the other to assist Noel Zembe.
Hundreds of people sent him “Get well” wishes via Facebook, e-mail or cards. We really appreciate that. We really value their input.
I would like to particularly thank Noel Zembe’s cousin, Luxon Zembe, who is the chairman of CBZ Holdings and director of Management Solutions Group, for the financial and emotional help in support of his cousin.
Secondly, I wish to thank the doctor (name withheld for professional reasons) at Chitungwiza Central Hospital who gave his services at a discounted price and continues to visit Noel at home to check on his progress.
The list of those who contributed cash donations, though not exhaustive as more cash is still trickling in, includes the following: Nyasha Muranda, Jackson Madzimba, Betty Mutize, Albert Nyathi, Clancy Mbirimi, Amai Kumbie, Tavonga Chipadza, Mathias Bangure, Lovemore Chikwiri, Barbara Jenami, Tabani Moyo, Handreck Matingwina and Dialogue Kubvoruno.
Others who have assisted in kind include Wala Danga, Emmanuel Thomas, Jevas Dzotizei, Filbert Marowa, Godfrey Muneta, Johan Weseni and Midlands Arts Council. Again we thank them for their generosity. When Noel gets better, I am going to ask him to personally thank all of you for giving him encouragement and support.
This effort is our way of showing solidarity with fellow musicians especially when they are still alive. Such Zimbabwean culture of assisting each other should not die, but must be encouraged.
We deliberately chose not to involve Government officials as this thing was aimed at musicians helping other musicians.
In the past, I have complained about most of us who have a culture of ostentatious caring concerns which include projecting one’s ego and informing others what deeply caring individuals we are.
We show this by attending funerals, sending flowers to recently deceased celebrities, weep in public over the deaths of music idols and so forth, but what have we done to assist those who are still alive? What have we done for those who are ill, bereaved or dispossessed? Zilch! Is this not a scandal?
I was overwhelmed by the hundreds of positive responses from Noel Zembe’s relatives, friends and fans who showed sympathy towards his predicament.
This is the culture Zimbabweans are known for all over the world. The appeal for money to defray his unexpected expenses was well received.
However, the freedom of expression brought about by modern technology to such an appeal, has also invited insensitive people into the arena.
A Mr Jabulani Mangwato wrote on Lance Guma’s MuGrade 7 Journalist’s Facebook page, and I quote him verbatim: “Hapana apa. Maakutifunga nekuti maakurwara. Pazvaifaya makange musingabatike. Yangu mari handidi nayo!” (“I am not giving a penny towards this fund because when things were happening for you, you ignored us!”)
Another one, Elijah Mwanunura, wrote: “Mukoma Fred, sei musingaudze vaimbi vadye mari vachiziva. Munogona kuzongotaura vasisina mari?” (“Fred, why do you start speaking on behalf of artistes when they are broke instead of advising them on how to save their money?”)
I guess in a democracy everyone has the right to express his views. I respect that and we should all have the ability to tolerate other views even if we disagree with them.
We all have our faults and transgressions, but as a musical family, there is need to get together and do what we know best, that is to appeal to our fan base for support.
One thing we are, however, proud of is the fact that no one was pointing a gun at those who contributed to the Noel Zembe fund. All donations were voluntarily given.
For the readers’ information, Noel Zembe is not destitute. Even if he had millions of dollars in his bank account, we would still campaign for financial assistance.
The accident he was involved in was unbudgeted for and if he has millions he should still keep them for whatever plans he had before the accident.
This is the culture we are trying to foster among the musical fraternity and soon we will also be embarking on a Chiwoniso Maraire fund-raising campaign. Remember, she has left young children behind.
We decided that this culture has to be instilled among musicians. We have shown this kind of support before for Andy Brown, Cephas Mashakada, Tongai Moyo, Hilton Mambo and many others.
A well-known musician-cum- businessman, Tendai Mupfurutsa, was a millionaire. When he died we still asked people to contribute towards his family’s expenditure.
In the case of Noel Zembe, his cousin, Luxon Zembe, paid all his expenses, ferried him from Harare Hospital to Chitungwiza Hospital, negotiated with his doctor to conduct his operation at a reduced rate and did all that was necessary.
We, as musicians, operated on a different front from Noel Zembe’s family. We did not want to burden his family as they also did not budget for this incident.
Although we were grateful that there were members of his family doing something about his predicament, we still felt that as musicians, we needed to show our solidarity by separately raising funds for him. He is still recovering and will undergo many reviews.
We hope that very soon Noel will be back on the road again with his silky voice, spirit and immortal contribution to the Zimbabwe music industry.
All this costs money. This is the reason why we are holding a fund-raising benefit concert for Noel.
Groups which will be performing this weekend at Book Cafe on Saturday, include Hope Masike, Blaqberry Band, Pablo and Friends and Frontline Krew. The show starts at 7pm.
All proceeds from the concert will go towards the Noel Zembe fund.
See you there!
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