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Mthabisi Tshuma, Showbiz Correspondent
ART is what he lived for! This was a clear painting of music promoter and one of the founding members of Radio Bukalanga, Gerald Mantseye Ncube’s personality.

The arts zealot succumbed to Covid-19 in South Africa a fortnight ago and was laid to rest last Saturday at his rural homestead in Gwambe village, Bulilima district, Matabeleland South province.

Assisting artistes with money for studio recordings and hosting musical shows was basically the life envisaged by Gerry who was touted as a musical giant, south of beautiful Zimbabwe.

Madlela Skhobokhobo, Ndux Junior, Mba Tapela, Zhwane Diamond, Mokis Connection, Gwambe Stars, Tedzani Sibanda and South Africa’s Freddy Gwala are just but a few of the artistes who kissed goodbye, the contribution of the immense art support that Gerry availed on a silver platter.

For the Bulilima district rural folk, their disheartened hearts are set to be soothed through benefitting from developmental projects that Gerry spearheaded, among them Radio BuKalanga which is pinning its hope on legalising its operations with the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe soon.

Saturday Leisure caught up with artistes from around the country who all concurred that life will never be the same again without Gerry’s presence.

Music doyen and Mokis Connection founder Morgan “Moki” Ncube said:

“I met Gerry in South Africa many years ago and he’d organise some shows for us in Joburg which made us known in the neighbouring country, spreading the popularity to our native country.

“His death has left us in the dark because he really helped us a lot to be where we are,” said Moki.
Madlela Skhobokhobo who also met Gerry in South Africa said together, they formed an arts organisation that was called Umthombo Arts.

“Umthombo Arts was like an association for our artists in Jozi. Gerry was the chairman and I was part of the committee. He was a colleague and we ran a few projects together. The first one was an internet radio station that was called Radio Mthwakazi and thereafter, we decided to celebrate ubaba uJM Nkomo in Jozi, a project we conducted with Mongezi Mpofu and Prudence Moyo. We shared similar ideas hence us doing projects together.

“Gerry was a giver, he was selfless and I’m sure there are artistes he paid studio time for, some for who he bought studio equipment while some got instruments. So many artistes have lost a pillar, someone they could cry to and get assistance. He has left a great void,” said Madlela Skhobokhobo.

Said rhumba musician Mba Tapela: “I met Gerry in 2012 and we had a plan of shooting a DVD with my colleagues. He showed interest in the project and he became its sponsor, cameraman, director and even offered transport whenever we were going for shoots.

“He also booked live shows for us that he sponsored.”

“Gerry was a brother to me and he even invited me to his wedding that was supposed to be in September. The whole arts has lost an icon,” said Tapela.

Zhwane Diamond Express producer and lead vocalist Ntobeko Mpfulili Nkomo said Gerry, who he started interacting with over a decade back, facilitated gigs and motivated a lot of artistes.

“I met Gerry in 2008 when he was sponsoring a group/band named Gwambe Stars that I worked with as a lead guitarist. He promoted me financially through facilitating gigs and I can confidently say he’s one man who promoted me to where I am today, from being an amateur to a professional.

“His death is a great loss as he was kind and always willing to assist. He also motivated a lot of artistes,” said Nkomo.

Musician-cum-comedian Tedzani Tjavunga Niswimbo Sibanda said: “Gerry supported my art through financing projects like CD cover designs and printing of CD copies.” — @mthabisi_mthire