Tymon Mabaleka Funeral in Pictures
Highlanders legendary football player and music producer Tymon Mabaleka popularly know as the Whitehorse has been laid to rest at the Lady Stanley cemetery in Bulawayo.
Mabaleka, an integral player with Highlanders in the 1970s, died in hospital at the age of 64 after complaining of a fever in Harare last week.
Pictures by Ezra ‘Tshisa’ Sibanda
In 1973, Mabaleka was part of the Highlanders team that won the Chibuku Trophy, beating high profile Mangula (later known as Mhangura) at Rufaro Stadium.
Players who clinched the honours included Ananias Dube, Billy Sibanda, Kenny Ngulube, Edward Dzowa, Andrew Jele, Tommy Masuku, Lawrence Phiri, Josiah Nxumalo, Geoffrey Mpofu, Boet Van As, Gavin Dubely, Bruce Grobbelaar, Barry Daka and British export Tony McIlveen, among others.
Grobbelaar went on to make his name at English Premiership giants Liverpool and also captained the Warriors at some stage. Daka is still coaching in the Botswana beMobile Premier League.
In the music world, the Whitehorse produced Majaivana’s Salanini Zinini, which had songs like the title track, Kuleliyani’zwe Dabuka Mhlaba, Nkazana, Uzakufa Kubi, Isambane, Simoni ka Jona, Inyoka, Indlela and Ubaba Wafa.
He produced the late Solomon Skhuza’s Medelina and Intombi. He also produced Ebony Sheikh’s Emhlabeni Kunzima, Shepherd Chinyani, and the Vhuka Boys’ Mai Vakakosha, Pakuyambuka by Leonard Zhakata, the late John Chibadura’s collection, The Essentials, Kassongo Band’s Bana Kassongo and the Zimbabwe People’s Band’s Wale Walio among others.
According to journalist Ezra “Tshisa” Sibanda Politicians from different political parties, sports personalities, footballers players and his former team mates, football administrators and musicians attended the emotional service and burial.
“Musicians present included, Black Umfolosi, Obediah Matulana and a visibly shaken and emotional Leonard Zhakata of “Mugove” fame who came all the way from Harare accompanying Mabaleka’s body with his family to Bulawayo,” Sibanda said.
Zhakata said “Mabaleka was my “father”, I have lost a dad, l am what I am today because of him and don’t know how to move forward, I’m still confused”. Tymon Mabaleka produced all Leonard Zhakata’ s albums and the platinum selling album Maruva Enyika.
“The sad thing was that Tymon’s son, incarcerated at Harare prison for a homicide case was not allowed to attend his father’s funeral. To make matters worse the current Highlanders FC first team did not attend the funeral and it would have been fantastic for them to be present in their Bosso track suits,” Sibanda said.
“Anyway former Highlanders administrators, players and Bosso legends were present which included Madinda Ndlovu, Zenzo Moyo, Cosmas Zulu, Earnest Maphepha, Colson Mabeza, Douglas Mloyi, Amin Soma Phiri, Johannes Tshuma, Dzowa and many more were present. Sleep well Whitehorse and good night!!!” he added.
