…as revolutionary
musician passes on
By Robert Zvidza
Spotting a beret
which was a trademark, one would never mistake Cde Chinx whenever they met him
in town. On giving his complements, he would give a salute and remark ‘Varidzi
venyika” to mean the owners of the land.
This is what the late revolutionary music giant and Liberation warfighter Dick Chingaira was commonly known for.
This is what the late revolutionary music giant and Liberation warfighter Dick Chingaira was commonly known for.
“Whether he knew you
or not, when he is greeted, he would greet you as if he has known you for
years,” said Assistant Inspector Onisimo Hwekete of ZRP Police Band who is one
of the police officers who worked with the late musician and freedom fighter.
At the age of 61, CDE
Chinx succumbed to cancer and died at a local hospital.
That booming voice
which sang for the comrades during the second Chimurenga war and continued to
inspire the nation during the third chimurenga when the nation embarked on the
Fast Track Land Reform Programme will be greatly missed as it has been silenced
by cruel death.
Indeed when death
stalks, music stops to play.
The nation will miss
this man and the ZRP family through the Police Band will forever miss the
interactions with the humble and sociable man who took everything as it came.
The Outpost magazine traced the
remaining members of the Police Band who worked with the late veteran freedom
fighter and musician to recollect how the union between the two forces was
merged.
This is the story.
In early
March 2001, there was a graduation parade at Morris Depot which was officiated
by the then Minister of Information and Publicity, Professor Jonathan Moyo.
After his
speech, he proceeded to the Regimental Mess in Morris Depot to listen to what was
then referred to as "tea music."
Like they
have done always, the Police Band charmed the professor and he was convinced
the band was the best band to partner Cde Chinx and Marko Sibanda for the Hondo
Yeminda project.
According
to some of the people involved in the project, the news was received with mixed
feelings given the heightened political activity at that time when the farms
where given back the blacks but somehow, the project was given thumbs up.
Cde.
Chinx is said to have come along with two backing vocalists Emma Chihota and
Ntombizodwa Mangota (his second wife). On the other hand Cde. Marko with whom
the Police Band recorded one song- Amasimu
sesiwathethe - came alone.
The
Police Band lineup was fronted by the then Assistant Inspector now Chief
Inspector Elias Sungiso (bass guitar) the late Inspector Promise John Zvidande
popularly known as Bla Kirks (keyboards /bass guitar), Gift Masinyani (tenor
and alto sax), Assistant Inspector Onisimo Hwekwete (trumpet), Assistant
Inspector Costa Songo (lead guitar), Harrison Mbewe (Rhythm guitar), Sergeant
Major Noel Bakili (keyboards) and ex-sergeant Wellington Mareva (drums and
percussion). Constables Emma Chihota, Ntombizodwa Mangota and the late Maud
Mushowe provided backing vocals.
Of this
cast only Hwekwete, Songo, Bakili are still with the band while the others have
since transferred and others are late. Inspectors Weston Chimbudzi (Bass) and
Pedzisayi Alfero would later join the team on tours and shows.
According
to Ex-Sergeant Mareva it took one week to compose and perfect 20 songs and they later went to the
studio (shed studios).
“We were
under pressure to finish the project within the stipulated time. Recording, mixing and mastering took exactly
one and a half weeks. We used to sleep in the studio 24/7 and the producer
Isaac Chirwa was very patient and he worked with the band well. We sometimes had arguments in the studio but
in the end we came to an agreement and that's how professional people
work. The end result was Hondo Yeminda
Vol. 1 and 2,” said Ex-Sergeant Mareva in an interview.
Cde Chinx,
Marko Sibanda and the singing cops pioneered Third Chimurenga in music. It was dangerous during that time because
opposition parties were on the rampage assaulting anybody who supported the land
redistribution programme. At one time it
was reported that one of the vocalists on Hondo yeminda – Ntombizodwa - was
badly beaten by a certain political party youths for appearing on television singing those
revolutionary songs.
The late
Andy Brown, The late Simon Chimbetu and Cdes Max Mapfumo and Sister Flame should
also be given credit for coming out in
support of the Third Chimurenga through song.
After
releasing the albums, the team traveled all over the country shooting videos, and that marked the beginning of history. Hondo Yeminda became an anthem and no
song (revolutionary) came closer to this song in the 21st century.
That was Cde
Chinx which the Police Band knew, an inspired musician whose compositions were
prophetic, a brave comrade who did not shy away from what he believed. A
motivator even on his hospital bed where he would try and remove the worry in
those who visited him. His patriotism was never questionable; he remained
straight forward in what he believed even when things were not that right.
The Deputy
Director Music, Superintendent Taizivei Zinyandu said that Cde Chinx was good
at composing music that had messages to the masses during the liberation war
and after independence. He said as Police Band, they were grateful to the
Commissioner General of Police for allowing them to work with the
great comrade and musician.
“We are
very proud to have been accorded the opportunity to work with him because we
are part of the history that he made. He left us a legacy that we will pass on
to the next generation. We are worried that there is no one like him anymore
among our musicians, somebody who shares the same mind as him.
“He
taught us the spirit of camaraderie, the virtues of patriotism, discipline, and
loyalty which as a band continues to guide us at the moment. On behalf of the
Director Music, Chief Superintendent Fungai Marange, the Police Band Family, and
indeed my own behalf I would like to pass my condolences to the Chingaira
family for the loss of a loving father. May his soul rest in peace,” said Supt
Zinyandu.
Yes Cde
Chinx might not be with us today or forever but his works will live forever.
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