By Godwin Muzari
Cde Chinx is a happy man. The musician is basking in the glory of an honour bestowed upon him by the Zimbabwe Music Awards. He has been selected in the Chairman’s Award category of this year’s ZIMA to be held next month.
Unlike other nominees that will have to wait for the awards ceremony to know their fate, Cde Chinx – born Dickson Chingaira – has a done deal.
He was nominated unopposed in accordance with the requirements of the category and becomes an automatic winner.
Come October 3, Cde Chinx will walk away with a ZIMA gong, a befitting recognition for the musician’s unwavering patriotic consciousness.
According to ZIMA organisers, the Chairman’s Award is “a special accolade for outstanding contribution to the music industry” and goes to “someone who has made a unique contribution to nation building through music.”
It is the prerogative of the ZIMA chairman to determine a musician to receive the accolade. The Chairman, Joseph Nyadzayo, has seen it fit to honour Cde Chinx.
Cde Chinx indeed deserves such recognition. He has not been successful in music commercially but he keeps focused in churning out revolutionary lyrics.
At the height of the liberation struggle, Cde Chinx was one of the vital members of the People’s Choir that did revolutionary songs to boost morale among fighters and educate masses about the important aspects of the war.
Unlike other musicians that have sold their patriotic jackets to literally sing for their supper, Cde Chinx’s music remains deeply rooted in his uncompromising beliefs about national identity and sovereignty.
He could have gone completely commercial in the 1980s when he worked with Bennie Miller and Keith Farquahson and did popular hits “Nerudo” and “Zvikomborero” but he knew he had a serious mission to pursue.
During the land reform programme, Cde Chinx and the late Marko Sibanda joined forces with the Police Band to add their voice to discourse about the need to give land to the landless through the album “Hondo Yeminda”.
Cde Chinx has been dedicated to his revolutionary calling and continues to follow his heart.
Songs like “Chikopokopo”, “Roger Confirm”, “Vanhu Vemuno muAfrica” and “Ngorimba” preach a common message of national pride and the spirit of liberation.
It has been a long time since he released an album, yet he takes every opportunity at national gatherings to preach the gospel of patriotism.
Although young artistes like Zvazviri Crew, Born Free Crew and recently Final Warning have shown their loyalty to safeguarding the gains of the liberation struggle through music, Cde Chinx remains their role model.
Nyadzayo should be applauded for singling out Cde Chinx as an outstanding achiever when most people have been swayed by commercial music.
Cde Chinx is glad ZIMA organisers have spared a special share of their cake to celebrate his steadfast career.
“I am happy for this recognition. I am happy when people recognise music that supports or drives Chimurenga,” said Cde Chinx.
“It is an important honour to be recognised as someone who has contributed to nation building through music. We have come a long way with revolutionary music and we are still on that way.
“I would have been glad if most of these young musicians would consider their heritage when they do music. They should compose songs that reflect the empowerment chorus that we are singing as a nation.
“However, most of them quickly go commercial and forget where the country came from.
“It is good to go commercial because we all want bread on the table but we should never sell our identity.”
Cde Chinx said musicians should support nation-building projects and policies that are made to empower local people.
“During the liberation struggle we sang about majority rule and now we sing about empowerment of the majority. The struggle is still on and I cannot think about commercialising music before we fully attain empowerment.” The Herald
