By Admire Jamu-Mlambo The late Tongai “Dhewa” Moyo was hardworking, humble and friendly, says former Utakataka Express bass guitarist Ronnie Mudhindo, who was part of the success story of the Kwekwe-based outfit.
Mudhindo reflected to Standard Style in exclusive interview on the journey he walked with the late Utakataka Express frontman from the formative stages of the sungura ensemble up to the time Moyo died in 2011.
“I can best describe Tongai Moyo as a motivator and hard worker, who spend most of his time with his guitar listening to Koffie Olomide’s music,” he said.
“He was a person who put more effort on his work and paid his band members so well.
“I also got to the extent of buying a car after the release of Samanyemba.”
The 46-year old said Moyo at times would be left without money after paying the band members.
Mudhindo said he first met Moyo during practice sessions at the Mbizo-based Shirinhema Jazz Band.
The lanky guitarist was still at high school while Moyo who was 10 years older was employed as a clerk at Kwekwe General Hospital.
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“I used to meet Tongai Moyo during Shirinhema Jazz Band rehearsals and at that time the band was led by Jotham “Boaz” Makaza,” Mudhindo said.
“Dhewa had not mastered playing the guitar and was taught to play the lead and rhythm guitar by Michael Koniya.
“His father did not want him to be close to music.”
Mudhindo said while Moyo was being mentored by Koniya, he was under the tutelage of Welly Masikiri, also a member of Shirinhema Jazz Band, who taught him how to play the bass guitar.
“That’s when I came face-to-face with Tongai Moyo,” he said.
“However, there was a breakaway in the band and a new group Shirichema Express was formed.
“We remained at Shirinhema Jazz Band where Tongai played rhythm, myself on bass, Musaupe Ngoma on drums and Shepherd Musekiwa played the lead.
“We became very close buddies though and the rest is history.”
Mudhindo, a sign writer by profession, said while in search for more success, a new band called Rairo Five Band was formed.
“It was made up of Koniya, Robert Chiriga, Tongai, Musaupe and Everson Phiri who each contributed two songs.
“Rairo Five Band never lasted long because of leadership wrangles involving Koniya and Chiriga.
“They looked down upon Tongai as they regarded him a novice.
“In fact, we approached Oliver Mtukudzi, who had visited Kwekwe in search of the Zig Zag Band, for his help.
“Mtukudzi never approved the setting up of Rairo Five and gave the example of Four Brothers which had grown in number from four to nine.
“Tongai decided to leave Rairo Five Band and formed Utakataka Express.”
Mudhindo said the name Utakataka means “grinding”, which according to the late singer literally meant road to victory.
“Tongai recruited Gift Chiteve (rhythm guitar), Musaupe (drums), myself (bass guitar] and he played the lead and was the lead vocalist,” he said.
“This was the original set up of the Utakataka Express.
“We went on to release our first album titled Vimbo, which carried hit tracks such as Chechete, Ndinotenda Dhiya, Chenesai Nzirayangu and Munditungamirirewo.
“The album was well-received by fans particularly those who followed Leonard Dembo’s music.”
According to Mudhindo, his friendship with Moyo grew from strength-to-strength due the successes of the band.
They would accompany each other to Gramma Records to collect money for royalties and fans also viewed Mudhindo as an integral component of Utakataka Express.
The band became a force to reckon with on the local music scene, which attracted promoters in the United Kingdom.
The opportunity to tour United Kingdom came and that’s when all hell broke loose.
“We left for the United Kingdom the same week Tongai’s father died and we did not even wait for his burial because we had been booked for our flights and visas,” Mudhindo said.
“Our main goal was to go to the UK and get money to feed our families.”
Mudhindo said on their way back two band members Alois Machapo and Paul Kuzinya were nowhere to be found at Heathrow Airport.
“He nearly cried at the airport and got a huge sigh of relief when I arrived to catch our flight back home,” he said.
“I was instrumental in the recruitment of Shadreck Chakora to play the drums, Guyson Sixpence, Saviours Karukodzi, Gift Sixpence and Ishmael Madziva (who was in the band structures) to fill the gaps in the band.”
Mudhindo and Moyo had a fallout that saw the former being dragged to court for breaching a contract he had signed following the release of the hugely successful album titled Vise in 1998.
“We agreed on an out of court settlement until the time I left Utakataka Express in 2004 and I went into fulltime sign writing,” Mudhindo said.
“I got a tender at Delta Beverages and went on to do branding for Chibuku sign writing at liquor outlets in Nkayi, Zhombe, Lower Gweru and Gokwe.”
Mudhindo did not take long to come up with his own group Orchestra Vazvamburi with whom he has released five albums namely Vazvamburi Vauya, Poto Huru, Mazirumo, Bhora Pasi and Zvipere Zvipere.
The lanky musician said Tongai’s song Muchina Muhombe was not directed to him as many people insinuate.
Sadly Moyo died at St Anne’s Hospital in Harare on October 15, 2011 at the age of 43 after suffering from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer.
He had released several albums that included Vimbo, Vise, Mudzimu Weshiri, Chirangano with Somandla Ndebele, Samanyemba, Chingwa, Pakanaka Dhewa, Naye, Pinda panyanga, MuridziWenyaya and Toita basa just to mention a few.
