A rough road wound through decrepit village huts leading us up and down some hills with increasing demand for caution as it turned nastily bumpy.We slowed down, avoiding the drains and furrows as our destination seemed to move further with every little progress we made towards it.
Stopping now and then to ask for directions from friendly villagers, we realised that the farm was not as close as we had been made to believe. Even the frantically waving and cheering young boys and girls by the roadside could not inspire our sinking hearts.
An urge to abandon the journey was beginning to mount when our last direction-giver pointed to a cluster of pathetic huts as our destination.This was the late Gakamoto Jumbo Stars founding member, Chakanetsa Kumulani’s home.The band is mainly known for its hit song, Chiramwiwa.
It was a Friday afternoon and the rhythm guitarist and vocalist had died on Thursday.
The farm being a new settlement, most of the huts in the area are still makeshift designs.
The main hut of the homestead could hardly accommodate more than 10 people around the coffin which was in the centre.A sizeable number of mourners sat in the yard waiting for grave-diggers to finish their work.
Most huts in the area are pleading for attention and a heap of freshly cut grass at the end of Kumulani’s yard was evidence that he had plans to refurbish his own.
It was the very hut in which he lay, motionless in a huge coffin.
- 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
But there was something striking about this funeral. Deep in this new scattered settlement inhabitants concurred that the burial Kumulani got was rare.It is a common trend that musicians, especially those that would have fallen from grace like the lake Kumulani, receive paupers’ burials.
Thanks to a funeral fund administered by the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (Zimura), his burial was more than decent.
The Zimura-Cell Funeral Fund provided a hearse, coffin and undertaker services that included lowering devices and a tent.
The fund is a collaboration between Cell Funeral Assurance Company and Zimura.
Zimura director Polisile Ncube says the policy involves major services for funeral assistance. The assistance was given at funerals of Adam Chisvo, Cephas Mashakada, Clemence Chinyama and lately Taku Mafika, who died on Tuesday and was scheduled to be buried yesterday in Chivhu.
For many years, musicians, even some that would have been successful at some point of their careers, have failed to invest to guard against eventualities.
It is through various workshops and initiatives like the Zimura-Cell Funeral Fund that musicians and artists at large have been enlightened on various issues concerning their welfare.
It is no longer that time when musicians were viewed as people that lack direction. That time promoters took musicians for a ride and made them play for food and beer.
But making music has now become a lucrative business and it is high time musicians are taught how to manage their income and personal ventures.
Stakeholders in the arts industry should show artists the way. Thumbs up to Zimura for a job well done.
