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This week I will write another obituary on a fallen hero of the arts, Tawanda a�?MaPeccaa�? Moyo who died at the age of 43.
He succumbed to death after a surgery which was meant to remove a bullet lodged in his abdomen after a shooting incident in the city.
I first came across the late before I was with Umdumo Wesizwe, back in the day when Siyaya was still called NASA.
The guy just carried himself differently. He was huge but had a falsetto that compared to none.
He was affectionately also known as a�?Rastaa�? because he had this beautiful dreadlock and somehow adored the Rastafarian lifestyle. We got to work together closely during Ibumba Festival of 2004. Iyasaa��s Onke Ose production that featured my accapella grouping Umdumo Wesizwe brought us even closer. Thata��s when I learnt how astute he was as an actor and musician. He was the lead vocalist on the title track and we toured Europe and our efforts filled many venues.
In 2009 I joined his group Siyaya Arts where he was Assistant Director. I was stage manager then and we did the world acclaimed Zambezi Express. He did not have a big role but he did well with a cameo.
Even at an older age he still got on stage to dance uMzansi and umchongoyo better than the young ones. His last big project with me was the 2015 Youth Games as he was part of the ensemble.
MaPecca will be missed by many. He was a kind person and a natural leader not just at Siyaya but in the arts as a whole. To pass on like this is not meant for kings like him. One thing remains though. He fought for this industry and loved it with all his heart. I remember his stage presence like it was yesterday. I still hear his voice like he is singing right now, I see his smile and feel his kindness.
Let me leave you with words from his song which he wrote while at Siyaya called Mirror. I love this song and will forever remember him with it. The song had these lyrics: a�?My life on the mirror, reflecting on me, what do I do, so beautiful, fragile and yet so simple oh yea. Handle with care, dona��t let it drop, because if it drops, it will break , if it breaks, ita��s hard to pick it up . . .a�?
Tawanda MaPecca Moyo. Gone but not forgotten. On Saturday we lay this hero to rest.
Until next week, be safe . . . @nkuenkala
Online Reporter