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said.
Narrating Dhewa’s last moments in hospital, Peter Phiri (42) popularly known as Pedro, said the “Ndinobvuma” singer had hoped to return to the stage and record a new album.
“He was one person who didn’t show whether he was in pain or not and ever since he was diagnosed with cancer Tongai was hopeful of getting his life back and be there for his family and fans.
“I remember one horrible moment back in January this year, when Tongai collapsed due to low blood levels and lack of oxygen. We had to rush him to Gweru for treatment and anything could have happened on that day but he fought hard and hung on until we got to the hospital.
“You would feel sorry for him but we never anticipated the worst because he was a fighter. It was in Gweru when the doctors first discovered that he had developed a tumour below his armpit and they removed it.
“Rumours that Tongai had died filtered through and he did not take it too well but he recovered and continued doing what he knew best,” said Pedro.
Pedro recalls the moment Tongai wanted to show everyone that he was still alive and in February he featured at Rufaro Stadium for the musicians versus football legends charity match.
“He told me that he wanted people to see that he was still alive and well.
“On our way to Rufaro he told me that he was not feeling too good but since he wanted to be there for his fans, we had to be there and had a nice time with him (Tongai) being one of the coaches on the day but after his appearance at Rufaro Stadium his health deteriorated.
“In fact, the song ‘Ndinobvuma’ reflected on his ill health and his family would haplessly watch. Waiti ukamuona hawaifunga kuti achamuka mangwana.
“Operation Save Dhewa, spearheaded by Minister Webster Shamu, gave him hope.
“He fought until the end and it was unfortunate that he died due to breathing complications and a kidney failure. Concerted effort by the doctors to flush out his kidneys before administering the Rituximab drug to
treat his non-Hodgkins lymphoma came to naught.
“It was a little too late as the tumours had spread in his chest and stomach and the radiotherapy did not help much either,” Pedro said.
According to Pedro, the death came as a blow to Utakataka Express since Dhewa had failed to recover and record his new album.
“Tongai was optimistic the new album would do well especially the songs “Kamushonga” and “Mandiregerera,” he said.
Pedro described Dhewa as “special” saying “God made him special” in that he endured the pain for too long, more than any other person would have done.
“Dhewa was in and out hospital and that’s how he lived his life.
“At times he would go out of his way just to be there for his fans. I think he was special, in fact, God made him special because no amount of pain would stop him from performing because all he wanted was to be there for his fans,” he said.
Pedro and Dhewa went to school together and shared a desk at Mbizo High School in 1983.
Initially, it was Pedro and Dhewa’s late brother Pepukai who were friends but somehow, the two bonded and had been ever since.
They walked, drank and ate together and half the time Dhewa would make sure that wherever he was Pedro would also be there.
His first show was at Musopero Country Hotel when he asked to go on stage and performed alongside Shirichena Jazz Band much to the delight of revellers.
Later, Dhewa was to form Utakataka Express with the likes of Musaope and Ronnie Mudhindo.
“Upon my return from Botswana in 2006, Dhewa had shot to fame with the release of ‘Naye’ and he held shows across the country and it was during one those shows when he got off stage and said he was feeling dizzy.
“We went to the doctors and they could not see or detect anything. The dizziness persisted and he asked doctors to test him for HIV and he was negative. We then went to another doctor and it was then that it was discovered that he had non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Immediately he started chemotherapy sessions but the effects were severe,” he said.
Dhewa had his own way of not showing his pain.
“We would go to play boozers matches and he would go to the gym on a daily basis just to beat the pain,” he said.
Pedro said Dhewa was misjudged by many and he had a unique character too.
“People never portrayed him well. He never looked down on anyone but he knew where to draw the line whether it was at work or home. He was also a passionate perfectionist and this explains why he used to dress the way he did on stage and walked the way he did off it,” he said.
Online Reporter