Zim artists who have failed to keep family legacies alive

Zim artists who have failed to keep family legacies alive

LEGENDS have come and gone but their work together with their names live on forever. However, it is in the hands of the predecessors to honour the legacy by retaining and cherishing the works of the fore legends so that they will always be remembered.

As time goes on things change due to technological advancement and legendaries tend to fed slowly but surely. One most important thing legends leave besides their mastery and fame is their loved ones who hold their names. So many legends not only in Zimbabwe have denied extinction because their names are still music to our ears on frequent basis.

The Chimbetu legacy which was created by the late Dendera musician Simon Chimbetu still live on as we have seen his legacy being passed on and on until now Dendera music is still all over the local air play. The band was passed from brother to brother until when the cousins Tryson and Sulumani divided it. This clearly means that we do not only have the work of Simon to hold on to after he gave up his souls but we still have the Chimbetu name still pitching up with fresh stuff for our amusement.

Preserving a legacy does not necessarily mean one has to be like or better than the legend but it is more like living up to the reputation that is left in their hand and showing ability and confidents in the greatness that runs in your blood because it does take a heart of a legend to be one going hand in hand with the saying ‘legends are born not made’.

Numerous Young people in the country have managed to live up to the legacy of their fallen legendary family members the likes of Peter Moyo, and Amara brown. The fact that crowds still rise and jump to the legendary family name is a very admirable thing.

Never the less some have failed to hold on to the legacy due to lack of focus, self confidence and greed. They are not necessarily to blame for their failures because the arts industry is definitely not for the faint hearted but we are going to be making them our area of attention in this context looking at how and why they have failed their family legacies.

Witness Malaba

Witness Nduna Malaba junior the son of the late well known musician Ndux Malax senior took his father’s footsteps in the music genre. He released a six track album khona sizake sibone which did well in the markets which feature hit tracks like Lerato in 2013 before he disappeared from the local show biz and went to search for greener pastures in South Africa.

Derrick Majaivana

Lovemore Majaivana the famous self exiled Bulawayo brewed musician has his son struggling with the complexities in the industry trying to walk in his father’s his footsteps. Derrick Majaivana launched his first album Bayamemeza sometime last year and has been trying to get the foothold which his father used to have during his days of fame.

Morgan and Tendai Dembo

Morgan and Tendai Dembo the sons of the late legend Leonard Dembo are one of the perfect examples who have failed to maintain the music reputation left to them by their late father due to lack of unity. After the duo spitted Tendai went solo talking over the Barura express and launched an album Kupa kwashe mid last year whose launch was a dismal failure due to poor attendance and Morgan claiming to be able to form a better band than that of his brother.

So much unlike their father who achieved a lot in his music career such as his performance at Miss World Namibia gaining himself international recognition and being voted Zimbabwe’s Silver Jubilee best song after was long gone the duo is busy drowning in feud and greed.

King Tazvida

The Tazvida legacy has been passed over and over for a very long in the brotherhood but failing to live up to where System Tazvida left off in 1999. The band was taken over by Leeroy Lunga who failed to rejuvenate the band then it was taken over by Peter Tazvida who also passed away in 2002 and Isaac who relocated to Mozambique and now it is in the hands of King whose album was expected early this year is still heads on battling to live up to the legendary.

Tendai Chimombe

The Chimombe Legacy which was built by the late James Chimombe was not left in good hands after his son Freddie Chimombe demolished it to the ground before he suffered a long illness. He blew all his father’s loyalties on his own interests with nothing to do with preserving the family name and his father’s legacy. He took over the band and sold the equipment, opened a grocery store which did not do well. Chimombe senior’s daughter Tendai seems to be the only one who has interest in his father’s legacy as she has rejuvenated the Huchi band.

Some have quitted the legacy that was left for them because they cannot handle the pressure in the industry and the peanuts that the entertainment industry in the country offers. Elijah Madzikatire the son of comedy drama actor Safirio Madzikatire whose legend Mukadota still lives on is a perfect example of one of the people who gave up the industry because of its situation.  In some commentaries he says his father demoralized him from pursuing his music career and in some he says he has been all over the TV and radio commercials but still the industry has failed to get him to live a luxurious life that is led by other people who have not made the contributions he has made in the sector.