Trust Khosa
LEEROY “Kamusena” Lunga says the late System Tazvida transformed his life and professionalism.
The long-serving Chazezesa Challengers general said Tazvida was also a disciplinarian who denounced alcohol and drug intake during live shows.
And Tazavida’s his elevation to “heaven” is still affecting the talented guitarist.
As the music world remembered the departed gifted composer who died 21 years ago, Kamusena says he still salutes the late singer.
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He died on February 4 1999 aged 30 and his death was a blow to the music fraternity.
“I learnt quite a lot from System Tazvida who made me a complete artiste I am,” said Kamusena.
“He was a disciplinarian who wanted things done in a professional manner.
“As you know, most guitarists in sungura take drugs lie mbanje and beer before holding main shows.
“System was against this and once a band member was caught drinking he would be fined.
“As a form of punishment, System would deduct money from band members who were caught drinking at work and buy drinks for the whole band.
“The one who would have been caught off side would not taste the drinks but simply looking on as other drinks.”
Kamusena said he developed some of Tazvida’s principles, which he used to impart on them.
“I only started drinking beer in 2004 which is almost five years after System’s death.
“However, I don’t during live shows but afterwards I do and also allow my band members to drink after work,” he said.
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Besides applying some of System’s principles in his work, he has also weaned off a number of successful artistes after he became his own man after System Tazvida.
“There are several artistes who passed through us who I can brag that they are my products.
“These include UK based drummer and vocalist Rodgers Fatiya who had a stint with us before joining Alick Macheso and later ditching him.
“Former Tongai Moyo drummer Guyson Sixpence was under my wing for the greater of his life because I stayed with him at my house when he was 13 years.
“The same goes for Baba Garie who is with Peter Moyo, Simon Mutambi, Obert Gomba, dancer Matoki who is now with Sulu.
“I also groomed those dancers who used the name Stock Birds and you can ask them if you doubt me and get first-hand information,” he said.
However, Kamusena’s efforts to revive SMOKO music was stalled due to family interference.
“We have on many occasions tried to revive SMOKO music but we would always hit a brickwall because some of the people we worked with were not professionals.
“One of them was Isaac Tazvida, who wanted total control of the band yet we are agreed that we were all equal,” he said.
Kamusena who has been away in Mozambique said life was rosy in diaspora.
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“People knew System Tazvida and we ended up using Chazezesa Challengers, Boys DzeSmono and Boys Dzesena.
“However, people liked Boys dzeSmoko a lot and we settled on that name,” he said.
– HMETRO
