THE book on Sungura music in Zimbabwe — if it were to be written — will not be complete without a chapter dedicated to Tedious Matsito.
BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA
The 45-year-old founder of the popular yesteryear music outfit, Ngwenya Brothers, is in a bid to resuscitate his music career after hitting rock bottom in the wake of a road accident that saw his leg amputated in 2012.
Although he is yet to strike a rich vein again, Matsito told NewsDay prospects for the future were bright as he was exploring new hunting grounds away from Harare’s madding crowds.
“I’m in search for shows. I’ve secured some and, until next week, I will be perfoming in Magunje and Kariba. The whole Ngwenya Brothers ensemble is booked at a local hotel here in Karoi,” he said.
One of the finest singers ever to emerge from Zimbabwe, Matsito now spends weeks away from his Harare home.
A former gardener, Matsito rose to fame following the release of Gede, but his leg developed gangrene in May 2012, after it was amputated.
He developed the condition after sustaining injuries in a car accident in 2008, which killed some of his band members and destroyed all his musical instruments.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Financial institution BancABC Bank threw him a lifeline after securing an artificial leg for him, which he alternately uses with his crutches.
“I earn a living through music. It may look like I’ve abandoned my family, but remember I’ve been idle for a long time because of the leg issue,” he said.
“Now that I’m fit, I’m performing. Thank God I still have a lot of fans.”
The hotel owner in Karoi has offered the Ngwenya Brothers ensemble free accommodation.
“I will go home next week. I will be in Kuwadzana with my family,” he said.
Unlike in Harare, where revellers can afford to part with $5 and above for a show, Matsito said the maximum gate charge in Karoi is $3.
“It is a gambling game, sometimes we perform for a few people. We missed a lot during the tobacco selling season. Now farmers have no money. Instead they are now preparing for the next season, but we are surviving,” he said.
Ngwenya Brothers had a humble beginning. There were three brothers — Jabulani, Mike and Tedious who were born in Nyamaropa, Nyanga, but relocated to Mazowe where Nicholas “Madzibaba” Zakaria was also plying his trade.
With crude home-made guitars, the then nameless group toured surrounding farms entertaining farm workers for a fee. Tedious left the farms to seek employment in Harare after realising that he was earning little through music. Soon after, Jabulani came to stay with him. At that time, Mike was at a school in Mutoko, but when he was done, he also came to join his two brothers in Harare. They revived their music career with the help of Shephered Chinyani.
They then produced the hit album Nyaradzo and engaged the dwarf dancer Gede whose height and dancing antics contributed much to the group’s rise to glory.
After standing the heat in the local music scene that was littered with great bands and musicians in the mould of Pegaudzoke, Khiama Boys, Leonard Dembo and Four Brothers to mention just a few, Matsito is still going strong.
