Zim sungura musician Tedious Matsito dies

The sungura musician, who had been ill for some, died at a Harare hospital. The cause of death has not been confirmed yet. 

“I have known Tedious Matsito for a very long time as a very talented musician and this is a very big loss for the music fraternity and business,” Prof Fred Zindi told Music In Africa. “There is going to be a big gap that will be difficult to fill.”

Zimbabwe Musicians Union chairperson Edith WeUtonga said: “The Zimbabwean music fraternity has lost another great musician who contributed to the music industry and was loved in the urban areas.”

Journalist and music critic Plot Mhako said Matsito had made important contributions to the country’s creative sector.

“Tedious is a legend. He defied many barriers to build a successful music career with hits that shaped the Zimbabwean musical narrative. Even though uncelebrated, he remains one of the icons of local music. It’s sad how he, like many musicians, struggled in his last days despite having a great catalogue – an unfortunate story of how artists are being robbed by piracy and a shrinking economy. May his soul rest in peace,” Mhako said.

“May he rest in power," arts and culture advocate Chamunorwa Mashoko said. "He had a unique melodic voice that gave sungura a new dimension powered by originality. He did not try to be who he was not. His song 'Nyaradzo' was a hit in the 1990s. His music was very popular in Mozambique.”

Matsito endured a fair share of misfortunes during his career. In 2008, the Ngwenya Brothers band was involved in a road accident while returning from Mozambique. The accident claimed the lives of three band members and resulted in the amputation of Matsito’s right leg.

In 2016, the singer suffered a stroke during a tour of South Africa, which gave him speech difficulties. He suffered another stroke in 2018.

The Ngwenya Brothers band was formed in 1985 and featured Matsito’s brothers, the late Albert, Jabulani, Michael and Edward. The group is rated among the top sungura bands in Zimbabwe and became well known for such hits as ‘Gede Mwana Gede’, ‘Zvehukomana Nehusikana’, ‘Rudo inzira’ and ‘Nyaradzo’. Its successful albums include Chivaraidzo (1994), Manyemwe Emhuru (1995) and Kurongerana (2013).