adminLiberty Dube
THERE is a blockbuster sports movie titled The Sixth Man which was produced in 1997 and in the movie, there is a college basketball team that makes it to the NCAA finals with the help of one of its dead stars, Antonie.
Antonie suffered from heart attack when he was in a match. He was carried off the court and tragically died in the ambulance before reaching the hospital. Coach Pederson, the head coach, choked up, informs his young brother, Kenny and the team after the game that Antoine had passed away. Then drama started, Antonie starts appearing to Kenny and started helping the basketball team to win matches. He would strengthen and motivate the team as a “sixth man” without anyone seeing him. He would appear especially during hard times and was a pillar of strength. This is a typical case happening at Ragga Manyika outfit Assegai Crew, according to senior member and group leader, Silas Makumbe.
There is a “sixth man” in the camp. Although death robbed various key members of the band in a short period of time who include Stobart Chidikano, Philimon Sakala, Elton Majera, Tendai Mparutsa, Ronny Mushava, Martin Kafesu, Herbert Keyara and Luke Chahwanda, their godfather Stobart seems to be living his words when he was on his death bed that he won’t leave to see the band dying.
“Stobart, during his last days, told us that he would die, but not the band. When he was on his death bed, he said Assegai Crew would live forever even if every band member departs from mother earth. He encouraged us to soldier on and fight to the last. That is why he never gave the group his name. We remained as Assegai Crew,” said the aging Makumbe.
It was Stobart that christened the group Assegai after former vocalist Johannes Madera was holding a history book and bumped into the word Assegai (short hand spear).
“He was so attached to the group. He loved it to the bone. And now we are feeling his presence. There are some moments when we feel the mood has changed especially on stage. We feel that there is someone within us. The way all the instrumentalists and vocalists do their business especially in the middle of the night and whenever we play Stobart’s favourite track, Kanyama Karipi, is so extraordinary, the mood just changes. A strange feeling grips us. We can play for the whole night without getting weary,” he added.
The band, which comprises bassist Oblom Phiri, lead vocalist Petros Ushe, keyboardists John Chimboza and Khulumani Moyo, drummer Makumbe and vocalist Massy Mbutsa, is now as consistent as ever. Unlike previous years they now hold shows occasionally and to the satisfaction of revellers.
Online Reporter