Storm brews in Mashakada family

Yeukai Karengezeka Entertainment Reporter
Claims by Cephas Mashakada’s widow, Eunice, that she receives songs from the late musician through dreams have sparked a fresh succession wrangle within the family. Mashakada’s daughter, Miriam, has accused her step-mother of misleading music followers to gain sympathy.Miriam also claims her father has appeared in her dreams and blessed her as his successor musically. She says she has received songs from Mashakada in the dreams.

Also at the centre of the wrangle is former Mashakada band member Shemu “Chibage” Mashonganyika, who has teamed up with Miriam to discredit Eunice.

Chibage and Eunice briefly worked together before clashing over the band’s income, leading to a separation that saw Chibage forming the splinter group, Original Sounds of the Muddy Face.

Eunice has previously lambasted Chibage for using the name Sounds of the Muddy Face saying she has the rights to the name by virtue of being the successor of Mashakada’s music royalties.

However, Miriam supports Chibage and has fumed at Eunice’s claims and said she has to stop pursuing music in her father’s name.

Miriam, who lives in South Africa, said she wants to work with Chibage this year to record six songs that she has received in her dreams.

“Eunice should just calm down. How many musicians’ widows are leading their husbands’ bands? It’s the band members and children that carry on,” said Miriam.

“She claims to be receiving songs in her dreams but I am also getting some compositions from my father in my dreams.

“I want to pursue my father’s music with Chibage and I think she should just do as other musicians widows do. They do not try to lead their husbands’ bands.”

Eunice is still furious about Chibage’s involvement in family issues relating to Mashakada’s music.

“He (Chibage) is influencing Mashakada’s relatives and daughters to intensify the bitter relationship we already have,” she said.

“Who is he? A mere dancer for my husband. Chibage should stay out the Mashakada family issues. Why can’t he do his own music without involving the Mashakadas?”

But Chibage says he will not be intimidated from pursuing his dream.

“Mai Mashakada must leave me alone because I am backed by Mashakada’s relatives to run the band. Besides, I have an affidavit form signed by Miriam that allows me to operate as the leader.

“I have worked with the band for 17 years and will not leave Original Sounds of the Muddy face because of her, I only listen to Mashakada’s relatives.

“She should just do her music and leave me alone,” said Chibage.

Eunice admitted she does not have a musical background but would continue taking instructions from her late husband.

“I was not born a singer but my late husband wanted me to finish his song “Shungu Dzemoyo” and I dreamt about it. He gave me other songs that I recorded last year.”

In August 2012 Eunice and Chibage released a six-track album titled “Shungu Dzemoyo” and after their spilt she recorded her debut album “Let them talk”.