GO WELL CHIBABA JAH LOVE
HE ‘died’ and ‘attended’ his own funerals on several occasions.
He believed haters wanted him to meet the Maker before his time was due owing to the frequent occurrences of his ‘deaths’.
His ‘death announcements’ had become regular mishaps on social media.
Some took them for cheap publicity stunts while others in his inner circle and sympathisers, saw malice behind the spread of sickening ‘deaths’ rumours.
It’s either the chanter had lost his life in a ‘car crash’ or his worsening ‘diabetic’ condition.
To date, he is arguably one of the country’s top celebs to have ‘attended’ his funerals and even ‘addressed’ mourners on several occasions.
For the young and yet hard working chanter weaving his way to acclaim, he should have had enough of this prior to his death.
As such, his ‘deaths’ will certainly dominate several chapters of his autobiography if he had written one.
The chanter finally breathed his last on Tuesday night at Mbuya Dorcas Hospital, exactly a year after yet another ‘death’ rumour circulated.
The last ‘death’ occurrence was on the 16th of February last year, the same day he joined the great band in the sky 12 months later.
Besides other shenanigans off stage, perennial ‘deaths’ announcements had become his middle names.
However, his rich catalogue of club bangers, love songs and of course refreshing and yet melancholic tracks, made him a Zim dancehall stalwart.
In short, this had become part of Soul Jah Love’s life. May His Dear Soul Rest In Peace!
EARLY DAYS
My first encounter with Sauro was in 2013 at the Ghetto vs Ghetto Cup Clash at City Sports Centre, better known as City Ngoma by ghetto yutes.
Headlined by Jamaican chanter Turbulence, the talent search programme which was held across Harare’s ghettos was now in its final stages, thanks to Mama Red Rose.
Then, an energetic but still unknown Soul Jah Love, proved a natural revelation among the trio made up of the departed, Kinnah and Seh Calaz.
Back stage, I was convinced the chanter who was clad in his green suit, which he preferred calling ‘chisuit chegreen’, was the vocal one.
After winning the trophy with their song
Ma1 Atanga, the trio disbanded with Chibaba assembling the
Conquering Family.
Seh Calaz and Kinnah also formed their respective camps but it was Chibaba who would become king.
Even Mama Red Rose is still proud of the trio, especially the late Chibaba who became king.
“It’s just a genuine programme where fans were the judges of the night and we are glad justice has been done.
“They will go places even if they pursue solo careers,” said Mama Red Rose as she deliberated with one of her runners on the night in question.
CHIBABA BREAKTHOUGH
After the Ghetto vs Ghetto triumph, I was not surprised when he became a darling of many a promoter.
Even Mama Red Rose who paved the way for Chibaba and his crew remained in touch with them even though their value had shot.
“Mama Red Rose will remain our mother no matter what,” declared Chibaba who became king and went on to win hearts of many.
It was also Chibaba who made me a fan of Zim dancehall.
“Mukoma tiri kuenda kure,” this had become Chibaba’s chorus each time we met as he was determined.
“Don’t hesitate to whip me in line if I go astray because you are now my brother,” this was the freedom Chibaba bestowed in me each time he was caught off-side.
Besides his wayward behaviour, he invested a lot on his stage, which he preferred calling the CEO’s office.
It was the same energy and hard work that saw him winning the Sting Cup Clash where he squared off with Seh Calaz.
Those who followed the genre around its peak around 2012-15, will certainly admit that those where the best days for Zim dancehall.
And one person who deserves all the credit for transforming the genre is obviously Chibaba. It was Chibaba who paved why for other ghetto yutes who were sitting on their talents.
HOTHEAD TAG
As Chibaba became a household name with such hits as Pamamonya Ipapo, Ndiri Zvinhu, Dai Hupenyu Hwaitengwa, Zvandinomudira among other tracks he composed effortlessly, trouble began to brew in his camp.
He earned the ‘hothead’ tag on several occasions for his wayward behaviour especially after missing shows despite being paid, I became worried that the talent was going to waste.
In my column Showbiz Matters where we crowned the moron of the week under the Mampara of the Week section, Chibaba had become a regular.
He even won the Mampara of the Year crown of shame for his wayward behaviour.
But as a brother who had all the blessings to assist my yute, all these were my efforts to whip him in line.
We joked about the ‘crown of shame’ which he had become a regular winner of each time we met.
“I have changed, I’m no longer mampara of the week,” he would joke with yours truly yet he would still be caught off side.
BRAVERY
Despite his health record and battle with diabetes, Chibaba defied illness and followed his dream.
He would perform in pain or get sick before or after the show which many people did not understand.
About drugs, it’s a topic his handlers and inner circle can answer but in my case, it was all about talent that I saw.
He spoke through song when it came to curses that trailed him, barrenness and of course haters.
Like any other person, he conceded that he was also human who can err and begged for another chance.
In short, this is the Chibaba that I know. May His Soul Rest In Eternal Peace.