Zimpapers Logo

Mkhululi Ncube, [email protected]

TODAY marks one year since the death of Insimbi ZeZhwane lead vocalist Elvis “Ma Eli” Mathe and the band’s drummer, Thembinkosi “Maviri” Mpofu in a horrific accident along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road. The tragedy also left the group’s bassist, Meluleki “Brema” Moyo, nursing a broken leg.

Maviri died on the spot, with Ma Eli succumbing to injuries moments later. Other band members escaped with varying degrees of injuries, bearing scars that will last a lifetime.

The two late band members were declared provincial heroes, and the military was present during Ma Eli’s burial in Tsholotsho. Despite the tragic loss, Insimbi ZeZhwane has managed to stay strong, releasing three singles in April this year, with a full album expected in November.

During Ma Eli’s burial at Magabelana Village, this reporter had an exclusive interview with the band’s sound engineer, West Machaka from Botswana. Machaka recounted the formation of the band and the challenges they faced on their path to stardom.

“I first met Brema around 2009 while he was playing a homemade guitar. I saw his passion and talent and bought him a rhythm electric guitar and a speaker. When we met after a week, he had found Welcome Ndlovu, who had a bass guitar.

“Brema was now playing the bass guitar while teaching Ndlovu the rhythm. We started practising, and I was trying my hand at drums but with a bucket,” he said.

Machaka revealed that Brema was composing songs in a diary that he wanted to sing, but struggled with IsiNdebele. Other potential band members came and went, proving to be unreliable.

“In 2011, Brema brought Ma Eli to me and said, ‘Here is the boy I’ve been waiting for; we can now start playing guitars’. We started playing together, and in 2012, with the help of TK of Dubia Masters, we recorded my album.

In 2013, Brema started living with Ma Eli, and they became serious about their music. Welcome took away his bass guitar, and I went with Ma Eli to get another one,” he said.

The band had its first recording, Ama 50/50 in 2013 under the name Tsholotsho Young Stars. The CD cover featured Ma Eli, Brema, and Cosum from Mathe Sounds.

“We sold the album with financial assistance from Phikisani Zenzo. In 2014, Ma Eli brought a boy named Senzo ‘Stapura’ Sibanda and we would practice outside the yard where they were renting in South Africa. Brema guided Ma Eli on how to sing until he ‘came good’. In 2014, we recorded the album Imali under the name T-joo Stars, with Ma Eli and Senzo on the vocals,” he said.

In 2015, Ma Eli’s uncle sponsored the recording of the album Seqa Mgwaqo under the name T-joo Stars-Insimbi ZeZhwane. There was a dispute over the band’s name, with T-joo Stars belonging to Senzo and Insimbi ZeZhwane belonging to Ma Eli.

“They later separated, and the name Insimbi ZeZhwane was adopted, with Brema and Ma Eli now in charge. In 2015/6, they brought in the current band manager, Bahlanu ‘SaGqumo’ Sibanda, who helped push the band to popularity. I have recorded all their albums, with KB of KB Studios doing the mastering,” Machaka said.

Initially, according to Machaka, Ma Eli was fond of Mokis Connection and Ndolwane Super Sounds styles, but Brema encouraged him to develop their own unique style. Despite initial challenges, including Ma Eli’s strong-willed nature, they eventually harmonised their efforts.

“Ma Eli was talented; he could sing, play the guitar, and dance. The good thing is they trained some boys who can play the Insimbi ZeZhwane style, so the future of the band is secure as Brema and SaGqumo are good composers,” Machaka said.

Within a short time on the music scene, King Ndondofly, as Ma Eli was also known, had ascended as the undisputed king of rhumba. The band’s musical compositions, flavoured with deep IsiNdebele proverbs and sayings, resonated uniquely with both young and old fans, with women being particularly enthusiastic supporters.

In an interview yesterday, Brema said they have not planned anything big for today in remembrance of the late members, but said he would deliver groceries to Ma Eli’s family for the children.

“We held a show to raise money to get something for the children. There won’t be anything big happening, but just a remembrance for us by delivering something for the children,” he said on his way to a show in Filabusi yesterday. – @themkhust