Nation mourns Dhewa

will be buried today.
People from all walks of life, including fellow musicians, music promoters, top Government officials, friends and politicians from different affiliations have bemoaned Dhewa’s death, describing his passing on as a big blow to the nation.

To those who knew him well, they described him as a hardworking, but humble musician, who strove for perfection.
Fellow musician, Alick Macheso, through his manager William Tsandukwa, described Dhewa’s death as shocking.
“It is a great loss to the music industry especially considering that he was not just a fellow musician but also a good friend.

“We had our last show at the Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex recently and we never had a problem working with him” he said.
The MDC-T party, through its Information and Publicity Department, said they were greatly saddened by the death of the Utakataka Express frontman.
“The MDC has learnt with great shock and sadness of the passing on of sungura superstar Tongai ‘Dhewa’ Moyo due to cancer.

“Moyo, one of Zimbabwe’s most talented musicians, died on Saturday at St Anne’s Hospital in Harare. He had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer, which affects cells in the lymphatic system called lymphocytes. The MDC joins the Moyo family, his fans and the country as a whole in honouring and celebrating Tongai Moyo’s contribution to the entertainment world.
“We particularly mourn with the Moyo family because Tongai was a believer of peace, solidarity and togetherness,” read part of the statement. The statement further showered praise on Dhewa for attending the funeral of the late Susan Tsvangirai, Prime Minister Tsvangirai’s late wife, who passed away on March 6, 2009.

“The MDC family will not forget the support he gave to our President (Morgan Tsvangirai) when Amai Susan Tsvangirai passed away on March 6, 2009.
“Moyo travelled all the way to Humanikwa village in Buhera to be with MDC President Tsvangirai at his time of grief. To his wife, Miniehle Mukweli, children, relatives and fans, we mourn with you.”
Owner and proprietor of Pamuzinda Highway Express, Victor Chiraga, expressed shock and sadness over the death of Dhewa.

“Tongai was very affable and extremely down to earth. On many occasions, he would just stop by Pamuzinda for a courtesy call, even when he didn’t have a show.
Chiraga, who is known in the entertainment circles as Godfather, said when he met Dhewa at Jimmy Jimalo’s funeral, in Zvimba, it was clear that he was in pain.
“It was clear that the man was struggling and in pain, but he was there together with other musicians to pay his condolences. May his soul rest in peace,” he said.

Biggie Chinoperekwei, who runs the City Sports Bar, said Dhewa was a team player, who despite his health always strove to give out the best.
“I came in the entertainment industry at a time Dhewa already had health complications, but being the hard worker he had always been, he continued to offer the best, and those who worked with him will attest to that,” he said.

Chinoperekwei said the biggest challenge now was to keep Utakataka Express intact.
“It is my wish to see Peter (Tongai’s son) take up the challenge and maintain the band and carry his father’s legacy,” he said. A show that had been organised to fundraise for Dhewa at the City Sports Bar on Sunday had to be cancelled following his death.

One of Zimbabwe’s prominent female promoters, Barbara Chikosi of Red Rose Promotions said Dhewa was a team player, who was not difficult to work with.
“He was quite professional and often ensured that he was at venues hours before his show kicked off. When his health began to deteriorate, he remained resolute, and never changed his style of doing things,” she said.

Another music promoter Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza was at pains trying to describe the loss he felt following Dhewa’s death.
“He was more of a family member. It’s a great loss, a big wound in my heart that will need God’s intervention to heal. Life is very unfair but it’s only who God knows,” he said.
Even fans on the streets were devastated with death of Tongai.