The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
THE late Soul Jah Love (born Soul Musaka) was an inspiration to many people and continues doing so over a year after his demise.
The revered chanter who was also affectionately known as Sauro, succumbed to diabetes last year in February at the age of 31.
However, his outstanding work is still adored by multitudes of music followers. Several upcoming Zim dancehall musicians among them Beezman better known as Chipoko ChaSauro are keen on following his footsteps.
Death robbed the nation of a shining beacon.
Sauro’s fierce rival, Seh Calaz, conceded life was no longer the same without the legend.
The sting that charactised Zim dancehall during the chanter’s days has long vanished.
Soul Jah Love was a genius who, however, failed to realise his full potential due to a number of misdemeanours.
He inspired generations through his poignant lyrics that tackled various social issues.
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His outstanding work earned him a liberation (Provincial) hero status, a first for an artiste of his age.
“Growing up, Soul was a naughty boy and often found himself in trouble. His conduct made it hard for us to picture him becoming a great music icon let alone hero. This is clear testimony that life is indeed dynamic,” the late chanter’s sister Caroline Musaka to The Sunday Mail Society in an interview.
Soul Jah Love’s family is in the process of setting up a foundation to keep his legacy alive.
Conquering Family members are some of the people that will benefit from the foundation whose major drive will be to keep the youths away from drugs.
“We want his legacy to accommodate even the next generations. Resources permitting, we intend to set up a studio in his honour,” revealed the family.
But there is confusion at the moment as some rogue elements have created a splinter group named “Ngwendeza Next Generation”.
The group is conducting activities in Soul Jah Love’s name yet side-lining the family.
However, the Musaka family has since taken the legal route to stop them.
Tribute
A commemoration gala will be held on August 6 at the Glamis Arena to honour the “Pamamonya Ipapo” hitmaker.
More than 20 artistes will participate at the Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza organised gig.
“He was a blessing and giant in our family, who also touched a lot of hearts through his music despite his perceived shortcomings,” added Caroline.
The chanter was known to be short-tempered.
His alleged drug and alcohol abuse did not make matters any better for him.
In fact, on several occasions, he left promoters and fellow musicians counting their losses after failing to turn up for scheduled gigs or recording.
However, his legion of fans knew he was flawed but they still loved him unconditionally and they were prepared to forgive him all the time.
It was an open secret that Sauro was a troubled soul and equally misunderstood by many.
His sister believes the chanter started having issues when he lost his twin brother, John, when he was 15.
“I think it was the way we handled the situation that created problems.
“We bottled up grief, thinking that we were protecting him (Soul) yet that only pushed him away and negatively changed his life.
“He need counselling and emotional support but we failed to give him that. Years earlier we had lost our mother and the situation only got worse after John’s death,” she recounts.
Soul Jah Love is said to have adopted a strange behaviour that would see him disappear from home for days.
Caroline notes this is the time he kept bad company.
But it is also around that time that he became serious about music, a decision the family was against.
Around 2007, Sauro became friends with Rockford “Roki” Josphats who at the time stayed in the same neighbourhood with him.
“I regret the approach we used on him. Everyone was against Soul’s decision to venture into music.
“We even complained about his colleagues and him making noise for us during rehearsals.
“This forced him to move to South Africa in 2008, a move that further led him astray,” reckons Caroline.
Soul Jah love reconnected with Roki upon returning from Mzansi a couple of years later.
He is said to have later sold the song “Zuva neZuva” to Roki, who in turn is alleged to have failed to own up to the terms of the deal.
“He always said ‘Roki akandivhara’ and brought up the issue every now and then,” said Caroline.
Tough love
The family bailed out the singer every time he found himself in trouble.
“We adopted a tough approach because we felt it was the only way out and it worked in a way. Positive results started to come and that helped him to succeed with his music.
“It is because of singing that he became a Provincial hero. The family misses him. He had a big heart and had something for everyone.”
One of his close associates told this publication that Sauro always advised youths against drug abuse.
The associate added that “Sauro was depressed but people did not notice”.
Spending more time in the studio was one of his ways to deal with issues that troubled him.
