Harare (New Ziana) – Acting President General Constantino Chiwenga (Rtd) on Friday described the late musician Zexie Manatsa’s contribution to the liberation of Zimbabwe through music as iconic.
Manatsa, whose hits include Baba Tipeiwo Ndege, Musango Mune Hangaiwa, Ndarota Ndina Mai, died on Thursday after a long battle with cancer.
In his condolence message to the Manatsa family, Acting President Chiwenga said the country had lost a great patriot.
“Zex remains an iconic figure in the music industry whose music career dates back to the colonial days and peaking at the height of our armed liberation struggle. He contributed immensely to the struggle for our country’s Independence through satirical, poetic compositions,” he said.
“Singing at a time when the Rhodesian settler regime was committing horrendous atrocities against our people in order to preserve and perpetuate its minority rule, Zex used his musical talent and composition skills to revolutionary effect, as he deployed different music styles such as township music, JITI, Simanje Manje and gospel to articulate national issues of the day.
“His songs were always pregnant with message aimed at inspiring others to focus on the greater good for our society and our great country. Similarly, he was averse to both political and religious prostitution and encouraged our people to be patriotic and morally upright.”
He added: “It will be recalled that his contribution during the liberation struggle was recognized when he was picked as part of the group of our local musicians to play alongside the legendary Reggae artist, Bob Marley, at Rufaro Stadium, at Independence in 1980.”
Acting President Chiwenga said the late Manatsa would continue occupying space in the annals of the country’s national music industry.
He said he would be remembered for his generosity and for mentoring many aspiring young musicians.
“On behalf of His Excellency the President, Dr E D Mnangagwa, our Nation, the arts industry, and my own behalf, I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the Manatsa family, especially to his wife and children who have lost a beloved husband, father, and mentor. May they derive comfort from the knowledge that the Nation shares deeply their great loss, which is our loss together.”
New Ziana