The Sunday Mail
Prince Mushawevato
Leisure Reporter
HIS is an avalanche of losses – talk of siblings, band members, musical equipment and a limb – Ngwenya Brothers frontman, Tedious Matsito, has been left a desperate man.
A pale shadow of the yesteryear superstar he once was, the musician who rose from the dry plains of Chipinge to become a beloved icon in the ‘90s is in need of help.
The “Gede Mwana” hitmaker is presently down but his selection of words and intonation paints a picture of a man who does not want to leave a beggar’s life but has no choice, except to go that route.
An accident that occured a few years ago was the last straw that broke the back of the proverbial camel.
“I’m now disabled but I can still do some stuff. However, it’s no longer like it was before the accident. I’m still doing shows but not as frequent as I must and that is affecting my income and in turn creating hardships for my family and band members,” said Matsito.
The talented artiste fell into calamity in 2008 when he was involved in an accident on his way from his many Mozambican tours. He sustained injuries that led to the amputation of his left leg after it developed gangrene in 2012.
The accident claimed the life of his brothers Luckmore, Domingo (who had replaced the late Jabulani “Jabu” Matsito on bass) and that of a female dancer.
He also lost his music equipment.
The musician was, however, rescued in 2012 by BancABC bank who imported an artificial leg from Europe for him. He also got further help the following year after Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza organised a benefit concert for him at Gwanzura Stadium in Highfield.
Sadly, that was the last time he got assistance from any company or individual. And the desire to shrug off the “charity case” tag is placing Matsito’s health in jeopardy.
The need to make money to take care of his day-to-day social and financial needs is driving the sungura musician to extremes, he is overworking himself, putting his health on the line.
In fact, the musician could lose yet another leg.
We have lost a number of artistes in the past when they could have lived longer because of exerting themselves to the limit. And his case is no different.
The former gardener is currently holding shows in Mashonaland West in areas like Chinhoyi, Kariba and Karoi.
“I just force myself through shows. When the pain is too much I take painkillers before or after the scheduled gigs. My remaining right leg is swelling every now and again due to the pressure I exert on it while I’m on stage and I feel I have to rest. My doctor has since warned me to slow down since the rate at which I’m going will lead to serious health complications,” revealed Matsito.
“The amputated leg is almost healed but pain is escalating on the other leg. However, I have been visiting my doctor to make sure that nothing worse happens again.”
The “Tinovatenda” and “Inguva Chete” singer has outstanding medical bills amounting to US$5 000. The money is owed to Parirenyatwa Hospital and the musician’s private doctor.
Matsito has failed to clear the debt since he parts with an average of US$500 for medical check-up (including servicing of the artificial leg) after every three months.
Moreover, he is obligated to pay the school fees for his five children that comprise of two sets of twins. The first two kids are girls aged 16 and have just finished writing their Ordinary Level exams while the last set of twins (boys) are expected to begin primary education next year. In between is a guy aged 13 who is currently doing form one.
Accordingly, Matsitso’s friends and colleagues have decided to chip in.
Musicians Wellington Mareva and Simba Saini acknowledge that their counterpart requires a helping hand.
With the help of fellow artistes, the two have organised a “Tedious Matsito Benefit Concert” that will be held this Friday, November 27, at the Big Apple in the capital.
The show will feature several local artistes from all genres.
“More than 40 music groups will be participating for free at the benefit concert to be held on November 27 in the capital. Tedious is a struggling family man and we have organised this event to help lessen his burden. He has been holding on alone but I feel it’s high time we do something,” said Mareva.
Added Saini: “We should not just sit and watch one of ours struggle. We need to develop a culture of helping each other in trying times. The good thing is all the artistes we have approached are willing to be part of the event. We hope to raise enough money to help our colleague.”
Ngwenya Brothers have a special place in Zimbabwe’s music history.
The group bravely withered competition from equally competitive musicians like Leonard Dembo, Simon Chimbetu, Leonard Zhakata, John Chibadura, Thomas Mapfumo and Pengaudzoke in the ‘90s.
Matsito’s debut album “Nyaradzo” which carried the sing along song “Madiro” popularly known as “Gede Mwana” was a massive success which earned recognition for his group both within and outside the country’s borders.
The group is still adored in Mozambique.
Ngwenya Brothers was founded by three brothers; Jabulani, Mike and Tedious. Albert, the oldest, was a musician but not an active one. Both Mike and Jabulani are now late. Meanwhile, the musician revealed that he will not be releasing a new album this year due to lack of funding. His last studio production was “Kurongerana” (2013). Matsito has 21 albums under his belt.
“This year I’m only going to record a couple of videos, mainly live shows, so that people get to see what my band is doing and how it is looking like. I wish to show them that I’m still around and still interested in the business through the videos. A new album will only come next year when I get funding and probably then I will also be fit,” he said.
