BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA
A few years ago, his late father Tedious Muchapedza Matsito made a brave move and appointed an heir to his throne after a series of strokes that left him bedridden most of the time and unable to take to the stage.
By then, his son, Muchapedza Junior, was preparing to write his O’ Level examination at a Harare school. Like any son of a music legend in Zimbabwe, the then 16-year-old boy gave the nod to the “transitional deal” and took over the famous Ngwenya Brothers.
With the determination of an athlete, the late Tedious did all he could by introducing his son to the music world during his last shows. He did not have much time to fully groom the boy, but the music gods smiled on him through introducing sungura ace Alick Macheso, who then “adopted” the new addition to the sungura family.
Macheso taught the boy and to date, Muchapedza Junior has become his curtain-raiser.
A few months ago, Matsito breathed his last leaving his son with the task of rebranding and steering the Ngwenya Brother’s ship ensuring that it will not sink.
Muchapedza Junior, now 17, has completed his debut album Matipa Mukana with the title telling the story of a young man appreciating all the help he has received from those who are in support of his journey.
“The title track is self-explanatory. I am appreciating all those who gave me the chance to venture into music. These are my heroes, the likes of my late father who anointed me before passing on, and, of course, Mudhara Macheso who has been with me through thick and thin,” said Muchapedza Junior.
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Some of the songs from the new album are being appreciated by sungura lovers during the live shows he has been holding across the country under the wings of Macheso.
Muchapedza Junior on Wednesday told this publication that he was at Macheso’s Waterfalls residence putting final touches on the six-track album that will define his musical journey.
“The album is complete. As I speak, I am in Waterfalls to discuss the issue of making CDs before setting the launch date. I led the vocals on all the songs and I am confident that the album will be a force to reckon with. Ngwenya Brothers did its part, we tried our best and we now wait to hear from the fans. For now we do not have the date for the album launch, we are focusing on making sure that the CDs are available,” he said.
Despite embarking on such a daunting assignment, Muchapedza Junior last year sat for his Ordinary Level examinations which he passed with flying colours. He said for now he was focusing on protecting the Ngwenya Brothers legacy before he goes back to school.
“I got eight subjects at ‘O’ Level. I did well, but I am planning to enrol at a polytechnic possibly next year. This year is a bit tricky due to music and other stuff,” he said.
Recently, while curtain-raising for Macheso at Murewa centre, Muchapedza Junior put up a scintillating performance with the crowd’s response being an endorsement of the boy.
For now, it is time for reality for Muchapedza as the album release marks the beginning of another chapter in his musical life. Some sons of legends have walked down the road before, with some faltering along the way while others struck the right chords and successfully revived their fathers’ legacies.
