We’ll miss you, Chi

Philip Mataranyika
IF ever Zimbabwean music sector had princesses that play the spiritual instrument of the gods, the mbira, they would have been Mbuya Stella Chiweshe’s offspring Virginia Mukwesha and the daughter of music king Dumisani Maraire, Chiwoniso. Sadly, the latter has been silenced by death at the age of 37.
As we all thought she would be with us for long, that sweet voice and disarming smile is gone for good before even reaching Zimbabwe’s life expectancy, estimated at 51 years for females as of last year.

I heard of her death around 10pm on Wednesday and it left me devastated. On hearing of her death, my mind raced back and forth until it dawned to me that she was indeed gone   forever.

I have now come to accept that no one can ever get used to death. Despite having practised as an undertaker for more than 10 years now, Chiwoniso’s death made me realise the futility of this earthly life. Chi, as we all got to call her, had been admitted at Chitungwiza South Medical Hospital 10 days earlier, awaiting a lung biopsy after having been admitted with a lung infection.

Before the doctors could diagnose her ailment, her candle was blown out just like that, leaving behind two daughters — Chengeto and Chiedza — whom she sired with another musical great, Andy Brown, also late.

Being an orphan myself, I felt for her children: How will they cope in the absence of both parents in this cruel world that has reduced life into a dog-eat-dog and survival of the fittest?

But being a Christian, I am comforted by knowing that God has His ways. He is the one who created us after all and He is also the one who determines when and how each one of us would be called home. Similarly, He will comfort and nourish Chengeto and Chiedza.
Without saying goodbye, Chiwoniso is gone too soon.

I had earlier this year discussed with her our plans to incorporate her as one of the main acts during our annual walkathon and tree planting activities this year. She was enthusiastic about the idea and all that was left was for her to put pen to paper. Come November, Chiwoniso would have performed at our walkathon whose details will be released to the market soon.

I hear she had also been enlisted to perform at “Young Women Stepping Out” event in the capital on July 25, organised by Women in Political Support Unit (WiPSU), but that was not to be since God had other plans for her.

But such was Chiwoniso — always on hand to play her part in projects that benefit her people.
What is saddening about her death is that we have lost a rare and exceptional talent. Even more, she was one of the few young Zimbabweans who had made it their business to preserve our rich mbira music heritage. Many of her age and the so-called born-frees have turned their backs on this genre, preferring foreign genres that are in many ways not in sync with our culture