Tributes pour in for Chinx
A CROSS-SECTION of Zimbabweans yesterday mourned renowned revolutionary musician and war
veteran Cde Dickson Chingaira, as fellow musicians, liberation fighters, senior Government
officials, friends and relatives thronged his residence in Mabelreign to commisserate with
his family. Popularly known as Cde Chinx, the iconic musician succumbed to leaukemia at
Harare’s West End Hospital on Friday evening and consultations on his hero status were
underway by late yesterday.
His residence was a hive of activity as people from all walks of life converged to pay
their respects.
Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Cde Simon Khaya Moyo said in a statement
that Cde Chinx’s death had robbed his family, Zanu-PF and Zimbabwe at large of a talented,
versatile personality whose songs were a tonic to cadres during the liberation struggle
and after independence.
Through song, Cde Chinx also helped champion the Third Chimurenga (Hondo Yeminda).
“Like the late Give Nare who was the Light Machine Gun (LMG) choir master in Zapu during
the liberation struggle and after independence, their songs are now part of our liberation
struggle and lasting legacy,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.
“Their songs stimulated both Zanla and Zipra fighters into action and helped mobilise the
masses into an incredible resistant population.
“Cde Chinx, in particular, performed at independence celebrations and at State occasions
until he fell ill and breathed his last. The party will miss you Cde Chinx, but your songs
like those composed by your friend the late Cde Nare live forever. You were a true patriot
and the youths must learn from your exemplary life and contribution to this free nation,”
Cde Khaya Moyo said.
Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Christopher Mushohwe said Cde
Chinx was among a rare breed of cadres who joined the struggle at a tender age.
He said Cde Chinx played a critical role in the revolution through his music, which served
to mobilise and spur on freedom fighters and the people in the war against the racist
Rhodesian regime.
“Cde Chinx was one of the few comrades alongside Cde Mhere and Cde Murehwa who had a
talent to sing,” said Dr Mushohwe. “He was among the best crop of singers and composed
such songs as ‘Maruza Imi Vapambepfumi’, among others which inspired freedom fighters.”
Dr Mushohwe said after independence, Cde Chinx’s songs encompassed pan-African values
advocating unity among Africans.
“When the Government embarked on the land reform programme in 2000, Cde Chinx was one of
the few musicians to embrace the struggle for land through music in songs contained in the
‘Hondo Yeminda Volume 1 and 2’ albums which he did with the Police Band,” he said.
“This was at a difficult time when many artistes began demonising the Government through
their works, but Cde Chinx stood for the revolution.”
Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander General Constantino Guveya Nyikadzino Chiwenga and
Secretary for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Mr George Charamba were among
high-profile personalities who attended the funeral wake yesterday.
Addressing mourners, Gen Chiwenga said while many people knew that Cde Chinx was unwell,
everyone hoped that he would recover.
“Even when he went to hospital, we know that the purpose of that visit was to have his
catheter changed,” Gen Chiwenga said.
He said Cde Chinx’s music inspired many young people to join the liberation struggle.
“The biggest work that he carried out was outside the country during the liberation
struggle when he showed his singing talent,” said Gen Chiwenga.
“Everyone knew his voice although they might have not known the physical person. His songs
strengthened people and clearly demonstrated how evil whites were.”
After independence, said Gen Chiwenga, Cde Chinx was attested into the Zimbabwe National
Army Presidential Guard, but requested that he be allowed to leave the army to continue
with his musical career.
Speaking at the same occasion, Mr Charamba paid tribute to the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for
deploying medical personnel to assist Cde Chinx during his illness.
He said the Premier Service Medical Aid Society played a significant role in attending to
Cde Chinx through its West End Hospital.
“CDF Gen Chiwenga deployed medical doctors from the ZDF and they did their best to assist
Cde Chinx,” said Mr Charamba. “There is a lot that the medical corps did to support him. I
was a link person between the family and the army.”
Mr Charamba said he was so close to Cde Chinx that the musician would come to his office
without appointment, particularly when his health continued to deteriorate.
He said Cde Chinx visited him three times and he would link him up with Gen Chiwenga to
explore ways of assisting him.
Cde Charamba said he valued a lot of Cde Chinx’s musical lyrics that he would use some of
them in his Saturday Herald column known as Nathaniel Manheru The Other Side.
“Many people have been wondering and asking who is Nathaniel Manheru,” he said. “It is me
George Charamba and I would quote several of his songs in my column.”
Government, said Mr Charamba, took a deliberate decision to support musicians through
organising musical galas.
“The reason for including Chinx in these galas was that young musicians would want to
emulate Americans, yet Cde Chinx’s message would be rooted in our revolution,” he said.
He paid tribute to Zimbabwe Music Awards chairperson Mr Joseph Nyadzayo for honouring Cde
Chinx’s work by constructing and donating the house in Mabelreign.
Mr Charamba said plans were under- way to publish some of the work they did with Cde
Chinx.
He paid tribute to fellow musicians who attended yesterday’s funeral wake among them Zexie
Manatsa, Nicholas Zakaria, Fred Zindi and Isaac Chirwa.
Zanu-PF Harare provincial commissar Cde Shadreck Mashayamombe yesterday said they were
still waiting for a response from the Zanu-PF leadership on their request for national
hero status for Cde Chinx.
“The leadership is still in the process of enquiring,” he said. “As a province, we are
still waiting. We expect the response tomorrow (today).”
Zanu-PF National Secretary for Administration Cde Ignatius Chombo, to whom the province
addressed the letter, could not be reached yesterday.
Cde Chinx is survived by two wives, Patricia Makoni and Ntombizodwa Mangota, and 14
children.
