MANAGER SAYS HE TRIED TO SAVE RHUMBA ARTIST
BANA Ngwasuma Band manager, Gloria “Mama Glow” Benhura, says she did her best to try and save the life of rhumba musician Brown Malyka.
The talented chanter died last week at Hatfield Clinic after a short illness.
He was buried at Granville Cemetery.
Before joining Bana Ngwasuma’s stable in 2019, the late artist had worked with other rhumba outfits like Bana Des As, Real Sounds of Africa and BV labien Musica.
“When he called me last Monday saying he was unwell, I rushed to his house with our band leader, Kaninda Mbala, and took him to the clinic,” said Benhura.
“He died shortly after being admitted to the hospital.
“I’m sure he could have died in his apartment if we had not rushed to see him when he asked for help.”
The businesswoman said she mobilised the Congolese rhumba community to assist them without success.
“From that fateful Monday to Thursday, I have been using my resources and savings to ensure that we gave our brother a befitting sendoff.
“When more money was raised by fellow Congolese, there was chaos as they were no longer forthcoming to settle the arrears, which were supposed to be cleared at the funeral parlour.
“US$900 was needed at the parlour but I had only managed to raise US$350 on my own.
“On Friday last week, after enduring a tough time with the other person who was raising money on behalf of the Congolese community in Harare, I then surrendered everything to them to ensure that they give him burial.”
Mama Glow said the death of Brown showed him the true colours of some rhumba artists.
“There were some top rhumba guys in Harare who were quiet when they heard about this death.
“Some only emerged when they heard money had been contributed and it was hard controlling them.”
Brown is survived by his son Giovanni (17).