Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
MELISSA Chikuti, the widow of the late sungura musician Tatenda Pinjisi, is still seeking closure six months after her husband’s death.
The musician died at the age of 33 at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital from injuries sustained in a road accident in Norton, which also claimed the lives of three other passengers.
Described as a torchbearer of “soft” sungura, Pinjisi was not only a creative genius but also a devoted family man, according to Chikuti.
In an interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub, she expressed her struggles in managing their five children without Pinjisi’s support.
“It’s now been six months since my husband’s death and I would be lying if I said I have healed,” Chikuti said.
“Pinjisi was the breadwinner of our family, who loved all his children equally and treated me like a queen.
“His death has left me nursing this wound and every time I look at our children, I am reminded of him more than ever.
“I feel as if he will come back and it’s hard to accept that it has been six months without him.
“He left behind a young family that looked up to him, the oldest is 12 years old, and the youngest is just over one year four months.”
At 31, Chikuti reflected on the dreams they had for their family, now dashed by the cruel hand of death.
“To be honest, we had great plans as a young couple.
“He had two children from a previous relationship and three with me, but we treated them all equally, which I continue to do.
“Having kids around us and making them happy from our hustles was fun but now that I am alone as the bread-winner, it can never be the same again but we keep trying.”
Despite her grief, Chikuti is determined to provide for her family.
“Before he died, he helped me at the workshop where I specialise in designing and manufacturing school uniforms for learners in the Jumbo area of downtown Harare.
“He was skilled with the sewing machine and excelled in marketing our uniforms, thanks to his well-known presence and large fan base.”
Chikuti, who has preferred to keep a low profile over the years, noted that many people only learnt of her at Pinjisi’s funeral.
“I have always been someone who doesn’t brag about my life or the people I know. It’s only now that people have realised I am Pinjisi’s widow, and many are showing me more respect.”
As a young widow with five children to care for, Chikuti has appealed for assistance to boost her business.
“It’s not easy being a widow at my age, as some people don’t respect us. However, we are just as normal and good as anyone else.
“I am asking for capital from well-wishers to help expand my business; I am not a lazy woman. With financial support, I believe I can grow my business and become one of the leading school uniform suppliers in Zimbabwe and beyond.”
Reflecting on her life with Pinjisi, she shared some of their dreams.
“One of our biggest plans was to establish our own factory to supply uniforms, care for our children, and, of course, for ourselves. Loving each other was a priority for us, like any other couple, and I am still in shock that he died before we could achieve our dreams.”
Meanwhile, a magistrate in Norton is today set to deliver a sentence to the person responsible for Pinjisi’s death.
“We are scheduled to go to the Norton Magistrates Court on Thursday (today), where the sentence will be read. This is part of my healing process.
“While we won’t be able to see him again, the court proceedings have been ongoing for months, and I will be there to hear the outcome.
“To be honest, I still miss him. He was a loving and caring husband, full of respect for me and love for everyone. He was always jovial and in a good mood,” Chikuti said.
Mathew Masinge