By Moses Mugugunyeki
South Africa-based Zimbabwean music promoter and businessman Rodger Muzawazi, who died on Thursday will be buried in South Africa on Tuesday.
Muzawazi, the owner of Ekurhuleni Boksburg Hotel, died following a long battle with diabetes.
His brother and family spokesperson Mark Muzawazi confirmed the burial arrangement to Standard Style yesterday.
“Mr Muzawazi will be laid to rest on Tuesday, August 18 at Van Dyk Park in Boksburg at 10am,” Mark said.
“The memorial service will be held at home and at the hotel tomorrow [today] so that we accommodate many people. However, these will be done in batches in line with the Covid-19 regulations.”
He said a church service will also be held tomorrow [today] at St Dominic’s Catholic Church, Boksburg at 8am.
The affable businessman leaves behind his wife Sibongile, four children — three sons and one daughter.
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Mourners are gathered at 3 Fitzpatrick Street Farrar Park, Boksburg.
Meanwhile, local musicians across a range of genres are paying tribute to Muzawazi whom they described as their “beloved brother”, “fatherly figure” and “best friend”.
They said the music industry would never be the same again.
Xtratime Entertainment director Tongai Mbidzo, who was incredibly close to Muzawazi in music circles, said the music industry had lost one of a handful of promoters with the welfare of musicians at heart.
“I’ve had so many wonderful years and wonderful times with Mudhara Rodger in the music industry. He was someone who would not discriminate musicians, but worked to develop all kind of genres,” Mbidzo said.
“He was a rare breed of a music promoter, who wanted to promote Zimbabwean music in South Africa.”
“He brought big and small artistes at his Ekurhuleni Boksburg Hotel.”
Ekurhuleni Boksburg Hotel, formerly Transvaal Hotel has in the past hosted top Zimbabwean acts, including Alick Macheso, Sulumani Chimbetu, Jah Prayzah, Tryson Chimbetu, Selmor Mtukudzi, Simon Mutambi, Nox Guni Dino Mudondo and many others.
“Why Mudhara Rodger? This is just painful. “You gave many of us a platform to showcase at your base — Boksburg Hotel. May your soul rest in peace,” posted Sulumani Chimbetu on his Facebook wall.
Last year Muzawazi had told this publication that Ekurhuleni Boksburg Hotel was going through transformation into a modern facility.
“We are sprucing up the facility to meet modern standards. Work is in progress and we are sure we will get there,” Muzawazi said then.
He said the idea was to create space for upcoming musicians so that they get recognition.
“We have the platform for them to perform, the PA system, accommodation and food for those who would want to showcase their talent,” he said.
