Online Reporter
Zimpapers Entertainment Editor
THERE were tears, smiles and loud celebrations as The Ecobank Legends Night finally delivered the long-promised gifts to widows of Zimbabwe’s late music giants.
For weeks, questions had been swirling over when the promised support package would finally reach the families of these legends whose music once ruled radios, weddings, bars and buses across the country.
Last Friday, the wait ended as the widows gathered in Harare to receive the long-awaited gifts.
The event quickly turned into an emotional reunion as families of music legends met, hugged and shared memories of the men whose voices once shook stages and dominated charts.
Some widows could not hide their emotions as they thanked organisers for remembering them years after their husbands’ passing. Among those who collected their gifts were widows of Charles Mungoshi, Ketai Muchawaya, Mako Sibanda, Paul Mpofu, Moses Rwizi and Nicholas Zacharia.
The widows of late superstar Oliver Mtukudzi, liberation music icon Cde Chinx, Stobert Chidokano, Khumbulani Magaya and Admire Kasenga also received their packages.
The families of Daiton Somanje, Tatenda Pinjisi, Andy Brown, Tongai Moyo, System Tazvida, Robson Banda, Naison Tembo, John Chibadura, Sekuru Gweshe, Shem Masangudza, Fungai Zata, Biggie Tembo, Bob Nyabinde, Zexie Manatsa, Andy Brown, Marshall Munhumumwe and Leonard Dembo turned up for the handover.
In Total Band founder member, Joseph Chinouriri, described the handover as a major victory for the industry, saying Zimbabwe cannot continue praising legends while ignoring the families they left behind.
“This is huge for the widows, huge for the families and huge for the industry itself.
“As In Total Band we partnered Ecobank who assisted us in this project.
“These women stood by these men before fame and during fame. Supporting them is not charity, it is a debt of honour.”
He said too many legends die celebrated in public but forgotten in private.“If we fail to look after their widows, then we are saying art has no value. Corporate Zimbabwe must continue stepping in.”
Ecobank Legends Night has become one of the biggest annual celebrations of Zimbabwean music icons, bringing surviving stars and younger artists together to honour fallen heroes.Over the years, the event has mixed emotional tributes, live performances and nostalgia while also raising awareness over the welfare of ageing musicians and bereaved families.
Organisers say the next edition is already loading in Bulawayo and it promises to be bigger, louder and even more emotional. More legendary names are expected to be honoured, with fresh collaborations and even wider family support initiatives on the cards.
For the widows, who finally received their gifts this week, it was not about money or packages. It was about respect. It was about remembrance. And above all, it was proof that even in death, Zimbabwe’s music legends still command love.
