Learn from Jah Love
TODAY’s lead story is sad.
The country is mourning and celebrating the life of a young legend of Zimdancehall — Soul Musaka also known as Soul Jah Love.
While it would be difficult for Jah Love to teach us his exceptional gift in music and while it is true that certain attributes of his life were negative as he was human and prone to mistakes, we would do well to emulate the positive attributes he had.
Headlines like ‘Jah Love pays Lobola’ were proof that Soul Jah Love grew as a man, artist and popular figure.
Celebrities must lead by example — inasmuch as they may have their flaws.
They must be seen to want to do the right thing and Soul Jah Love, controversial as he was, displayed great maturity and exemplary behavior by marrying the love of his life.
Many of the things that were happening in the affair were publicized — the good, the bad and the ugly.
It is awesome that the two artistes formalized their union with Jah Love paying lobola for his love, Bounty Lisa.
Even though they later separated, the gesture by the late Jah Love proves to all men with Zimbabwean lovers that the ladies want you to come to their home and pay lobola.
It makes them feel appreciated and it gives them a sense of pride in society.
Their relatives and friends begin to respect them more and their self-worth grows to a new high.
Never undermine the role and value of marriage under customary law in society.
It is an arduous task to marry a woman the customary way in Zimbabwe.
The man must go to the girl’s aunt — usually with some groceries — and inform her about his intentions to marry.
There he should propose a date to come and pay lobola for his wife-to-be.
The aunt will then travel to the girl’s parents as an emissary sent to ask the parents for their daughter’s hand in marriage.
When the date is agreed, the man must make the trip to the girl’s rural areas to be seen by the girl’s family (minus the parents) so they may have an overview of his general behaviors and well-being.
After that costly trip, the girl must also go to the boy’s rural area and be seen by the boy’s family for the same reasons.
After this, the man comes with a team of uncles and aunts to pay lobola which is usually some thousands of United States dollars — US$9000 in Jah Love’s Case.
Add to that, about eight cows or their equivalent in monetary terms that will be charged.
Soul Jah Love did all this and deserves some respect for the example he displayed to the thousands of Ghetto Youths that look up to him as a role model given the fact that he was one of the best at what he does.
H ARIES MARCH 21-APRIL 19
You’re not moving as quickly as you’d like, but there’s more to life than speed. You may need to check in with your people for some assistance if you get too far behind, though.
H TAURUS APRIL 20-MAY 20
Your social relations are making life sweeter, and you can overcome old difficulties or renew dormant bonds with ease. It’s a really good time for you to commune with friends and family.
H GEMINI MAY 21-JUNE 21
This is not a good time for you to flit from person to person. You need to focus your energy on someone important. That could mean that you’re in a good space for relationship work.
H CANCER JUNE 22-JULY 21
You’ve got a natural charm that makes people feel fully at ease, so make the most of it. You should be able to work wonders in any situation, so much so that you win big!
LEO
JULY 21-AUGUST 22
H
Your stubbornness is legendary, and on a day like today it may cause some issues with friends or colleagues. Try to see their point of view, but put off any serious disputes for a few days.
VIRGO
AUGUST 23-SEPTEMBER 22
H
Are you traveling now? Then you’re at your best. If not, spend a little time plotting your next getaway. You need to escape your routines as soon as humanly possible.
H LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23-OCTOBER 22
Your cultural leanings are making life sweeter than ever, so enjoy music, art, or whatever else comes your way. Steer a friend or family member in the same direction for added fun.
H SCORPIO OCTOBER 23-NOVEMBER 21
You should find that someone you thought would be a weak opponent turns out to be stronger than they appear. Roll with it and see if you can turn circumstances to your advantage.
H SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22-DECEMBER 21
Analyze today’s big problem by breaking it down into little chunks. They won’t look so scary, and you should be able to see at least one way to attack the problem more easily.
H CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22-JANUARY 19
Your kids are the center of your life today, if you’ve got kids, that is. If not, you may be drawn to consider it or to help out with a friend or relative who’s got more than they can handle.
AQUARIUS JANUARY 20-FEBRUARY 20
H
If you’re bored today, that’s no surprise. There are no surprises coming your way! Try to just focus on whatever is right in front of you and make your way through the day.
H PISCES FEBRUARY 20-MARCH 20
Your love life is still bubbling with great energy, so make the most of it. Spend some quality time with your partner, or if you’re single, look for someone new. Work your magic!
THE late Soul Jah Love’s uncle Solomon Musaka says the family holds liberties to share details of their son’s cause of death.
He has, however, dismissed rumours of any foul play or drug abuse, contrary to social media theories.
“There are people posting zvavanoda pasocial media hativarambidze asi the actual position will come from us as the family.
“The information related to the period of his bereavement, cause of death, where his funeral wake will take place, date of burial and final resting place will be announced after family deliberations,” said Musaka.
The chanter was a known Type 1 Diabetes patient since he was 16.
He was a last born in a family of eight (five boys and three girls) and both his parents are deceased.
The Ndini Uya Uya singer, lost his twin sister when he was 15.
He did his Grade One to Four education at Mhofu Primary School in Highfield before moving to Waterfalls’ Prospect Primary for his Grade Five to Seven.
According to his sister, Carol Musaka, the chanter started doing music at a tender age.
“At around 13, Soul Jah Love would write songs in a small book that he always kept on him. I scolded him for it, but he always replied saying ‘ndirikunyora zvinhu zvangu’.
“When he was 14, he then formed a music group with one of our brothers Spicy Tee, they called it, True Love Crew. Soul Jah Love as the leader quickly got their first endorsement from a local NGO to raise HIV/AIDS awareness.
“This was also the time he began
working on his Ndozvandinomudira song,” said Carol Musaka.
“He was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes after falling unconscious countless times during his teens,” she said.
She described his breakthrough in music as unbelievable.
“As a sibling, you don’t really believe it sometimes that your mother’s child is doing anything right.
“I never expected his breakthrough to be so quick because I used to laugh at him.
“In 2012, he came with Father Paris to my house in Highfield and told me that his career was taking off.
“He made me listen to his music from an almost broken flash disk and I continued laughing at him not knowing God was to soon smile at him.
“He then became a favourite to many until the time of his death,” she said.
She described him as her role model. “He fought many struggles alone and it made him stronger. Without our parents, he managed to breakthrough in life on his own,” she said.
After making it with Ndozvandinomudira, Soul Jah Love went on to churn out more hits including
Pamamonya Ipapo, Ndini Uya Uya, Zvinhu and Pakukura Kwangu.
Meanwhile, Chibaba reportedly signed a deal at Passion Java Records last Friday where he walked away with an undisclosed amount of cash.
He reportedly gave rights to one of his latest hits, Simudza Gumbo, to the outspoken prophet.
He went on to record a new track at the stable in the absence of his manager Junkie, as the two were not seeing eye-to-eye.
Soul Jah Love recorded a viral video in which he dissed his manager for negligence.