LIMPOPO MIRROR
6 18 July 2014 Music fraternity mourns
By Silas Nduvheni
Faith launches national imbizo focus week Celebratory funeral service for Mushwana The Minister of Communications, Ms Faith Muthambi, has urged communities around the Vhembe region in Limpopo to make use of the government’s initiatives and interact with the government about the challenges they face with service delivery. She opened the national imbizo focus week during a ceremony at the old parliamentary buildings last Sunday. “Government feels that it is imperative to interact with peo-
ple and listen to their concerns and views. We are calling on people to tell us their concerns and suggestions. It is our duty as government to ensure that citizens have access to government,” said Muthambi. “We visited a project where I was personally able to assess first-hand the progress in the implementation of the work of the government through its programmes and policies. We saw Da U Vhone Primary Cooperative, which makes polish and
grows vegetables. This project is critical as the government sees food security and small entrepreneurial activities as critical in sustaining local economic development,” she added. Muthambi mentioned that the adoption of an imbizo approach was testimony to the government’s commitment to transparency and accountable service delivery. “People can voice their concerns, opinions and suggestions to their representatives, whom they elected into office.” Prior to the launch, Muthambi and local councillors interacted with the Thohoyandou community. Muthambi also told councillors and mayors to help in speeding up service delivery to poor communities. The chairperson of the South African National Civic Association (Sanco), Ms Magdalene Netshiavha, urged comMin Faith Muthambi, Ms Selinah Mukhithi (chairperson of the Dau munities to make u Vhone Polish Project at Tshisaulu) and Executive Mayor Tshitereke use of the opportuniMatibe hold a container of polish produced at the project. The mayor of ties to address their concerns. Thulamela, Cllr Grace Mahosi (far right), looks on.
The local music fraternity suffered a terrible blow when a highly respected, multi-talented musician succumbed to illness last week. Thomas Hlupheka Mushwana (42) was buried during an emotional, but celebratory, ceremony at Tshandama village, near Tshilamba, on Saturday. Fellow musicians, family members and friends braved the chilly weather to bid farewell to the renowned musician who, during his lifetime, played in gigs as far as France and Switzerland. Born in Chiredzi, Zimbabwe, in 1972, Thomas displayed his musical talent at a very young age. His brother, Kenias Mutirikidi, remarked, “He taught himself to play guitar at the age of 10. He then went on to teach himself how to play drums and percussion. He was very young when he formed a school band called Risenga, which later released three albums. He then moved on to establish the Dynamic Brothers, which commanded a huge following in Zimbabwe. This was followed by his relocation
to Musina in the early eighties, where he helped to establish Tafara Band.” Due to his courageous spirit of experimenting in life, Thomas moved to Tshandama in 1989 and settled with the Netshisaulu family for the past 25 years. He was instrumental in organizing the first Tshingondo music festival, which was held at the University of Venda stadium in the nineties. The festival featured great Zimbabwean musicians such as Thomas Mafumo, Devera Ngwena Jazz Band and Paul Matavire. During his lifetime, Thomas also played with Joseph Mbiza (aka Zozo), Peter Chirobe (aka Tshigomboza), Mashaka Band, Vhembe Heritage and the late disco king, Peta Teanet. He also released one Tshingondo album. Representing the Netshisaulu family, Maradzhe Netshisaulu said that Mushwana was a “true son to us and we are very sad that he left us when we still need him most. We are happy that his family from Zimbabwe has joined us to bid him farewell. He had a good sense of humor and
he was full of jokes and found fun in everything. We will surely miss him.” Representing the music fraternity, Zozo said: “We have lost one of the most talented musicians ever produced during our lifetime. Thomas could play any instrument and he was a valuable asset to the music industry. We were not surprised when he got offers to play internationally, because he was a rare brand in the music industry. We will really miss him.” Bishop Samuel Mulovhedzi of Pile Triumph Revival Church officiated during the funeral in the Tshandama graveyard.
Thomas Hlupheka Mushwana.
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Fellow musicians Joseph Zozo Mbiza, Peter Tshigomboza Chirobe, Tshilidzi Bobodi, Phillip Tshililo and Rendani Mashau, at the graveside of music legend Thomas Hlupheka Mushwana.