DEATH is indeed a daring thief. I refuse to believe that Tymon Mabaleka, a soccer legend and music producer par excellence has departed.
We have been robbed and I keep wondering if we realise how naked, how poorer we are without “Whitehorse”. A lot has been said, done and written about Mabaleka the whole week, but for a man of his stature, a legend of his calibré it can never be enough or too much.
Here is to a man who took up two of the most challenging and looked, down upon careers in Zimbabwe and in both of them made a huge mark and positive impact.
A career in medicine or accounting is seen as the road to success, but as you grow up, worse in the times the late 64-year-old Mabaleka did, soccer and entertainment were a taboo for any parent. That alone is enough for us to salute Mabaleka for driving not only Highlanders Football Club, but Zimbabwe’s music industry to great heights.
I choose to deliberately focus on his contribution to the arts and music industry since I am directly involved in it, but that does not imply that he did less for sport. Tymon Mabaleka’s name is synonymous with Zimbabwean music.
You cannot write about Zimbabwean music and finish a paragraph without mentioning his name. He was a man who was publicly shy, but steered many a musician to success. In the ’80s Mabaleka was influential in the creation of sungura and tamarabi music. Just like Ezra Tshisa Sibanda put it during the week, he was the Quincy Jones of Zimbabwean music.
You find his name on covers and sleeves of music albums worth the salt. From vinyl, cassette to CD era Tymon Mabaleka’s name blends with well produced music in Zimbabwe.
Mention of names like Lovemore Majaivana, Leonard Zhakata, Ilanga, James Chimombe, Kassongo Band, Oliver Mtukudzi and Solomon S’kuza in the description of Mabaleka career tells a complete story of his capabilities. We have just lost one of Zimbabwe’s most unsung heroes. We wake up today without him and realise how much dedication and commitment he gave to our arts industry but did we do our best to give back to him for his tireless passion? I wonder.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Mabaleka was an enemy of lack of originality. When I met him years back and every time we met, he always emphasised the need for an indigenous sound, a sound that is originally Zimbabwean. He talked of a lot of music projects he turned down because he thought they sounded too foreign.
He was a firm believer in a theory that singing in one’s own language and singing about one’s community’s trials, tribulations and jubilation is the key to success in the music industry. He was a music producer who was easy to reach, approachable and knew nothing about the meaning of bureaucracy.
Mabaleka worked with musicians from different backgrounds, religions languages and regions yet he was able to make the co-create and co-exist. He was a unifier.
Whitehorse has just galloped into the valley with a lot of good memories and a legacy to be treasured. We should not let his legacy die. Generations to come after us need to know about Mabaleka. They need to read about his work, and his philosophies. He also deserves an honour.
Raise a statue of the legend for a man who touched hearts both in sport and entertainment – that is a rare talent. Name a street after a man who produced music the whole of Zimbabwe danced to. Name a building after this legend who nurtured careers in music that feed families up to today.
There is no death. People die only when we forget them. A man is not dead while his name is still spoken.
So is Tymon Whitehorse” Mabaleka. I dare those with ability and power to do so – confer him with an honour.
Meanwhile, we thank the International Institute of Philanthropy for conferring Zimbabwe’s music superstar Oliver Mtukudzi with third honorary degree, an Honorary Doctorate in Human Letters. Congratulations Doctor Mtukudzi! Give a man roses while they can still smell them and thank you.
Keep walking!
