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FORMER Wells Fargo and Southern Free Way rhythm guitarist Handsome Mabhiza has died. He was 61. Mabhiza died yesterday at his home in Mzilikazi suburb in Bulawayo. He had spent the previous day at rehearsals at the nearby Thorngrove suburb. In an interview, Handsome’s sister, Sarudzai Mabhiza said she was in shock because her brother had looked well.
“He was up and about as he only had a cough and a bout of flu. He spent yesterday at rehearsals with Gabz Fire. This is a shock to the whole family,” she said.
She said she woke up at around 6am yesterday and tried to wake him up so that he could eat porridge but he did not respond. She said she then asked her son to also try and wake him up to no avail. After failing to wake him up she called her sister who lives in the neighbourhood and their neighbour, Philemon Dangarembwa.
“I called sekuru Dangarembwa and my sister Isabel and we later called an ambulance. When the ambulance arrived he was pronounced dead. They said he probably died in his sleep,” she said.
Handsome was born in Bulawayo in 1952 and was a product of the Boys Clubs that the then local authorities used to run. It was meant to keep youths from the townships off the streets.
A generation of musicians such as Lovemore Majaivana and the late Eric Juba from the Cool Crooners were groomed at these youth centres and they went far in their careers.
Mabhiza attended Lozikeyi Primary School and then Mzilikazi High School for his secondary education.
He was one of the original members of the group Wells Fargo, which was assembled by drummer Ebba Chitambo. The group had Never Mpofu and Joseph Musonda as members. When Musonda left the group for Zambia, he was replaced by George Phiri.
At the height of its popularity the group won almost all the prestigious music competitions in the country.
They won the Texan Rock Band contest at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds twice, Battle of the Bands in Hwange twice and the National Band competition in Harare.
Texan Rock Band contest had a recording deal as part of the prize and that is when Wells Fargo recorded singles, Tshotsholoza and Watch Out.
As the band’s fame grew they were approached by a Kwekwe businessman and they became the resident band at his bar, Musopero Bar in Mbizo Section One. The group also played in places such Arimanyongo Hotel and PG’s place.
The group was so popular that even Devera Ngwena Jazz Band curtain raised for them. Devera Ngwena Jazz Band played during the week while Wells did weekend gigs at the joints.
After three years in Kwekwe they returned to Bulawayo and then relocated to Botswana where they stayed for 10 years.
The group returned to Zimbabwe in the late 80’s as part of Southern Free Way which was then led by South African, Steve Dyer.
Mabhiza is survived by wife, Agnes, daughter Mellisa, son Innocent and grandson Ethan. Mourners are gathered at P54 Mzilikazi
Online Reporter