The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Entertainment Correspondent
THE fairy-tale showbiz story of Manicaland is an intriguing anecdote that will take ages to be well documented.
The story will be far from complete without talking about the iconic secular musician, Paul Phiri, who left an indelible footprint in the music industry during his reign in the late 1980s and 90s.
The dreadlocked musician stands as one of the best performers ever to hail from Mutare who explored different musical styles before he settled for gospel which was packaged in a distinct reggae-style.
But who was Paul Phiri?
Phiri, was born in the T-Section of Dangamvura in a family of 10 around the 1960s.
He refused to continue with his education just after enrolling at Elise Gledhill Secondary School for Form One as he wanted to pursue music.
He was super talented and in his teens, he bought his first guitar with the little proceeds he got from menial jobs and nurtured his guitar-strumming prowess at home while those of his age were at school.
In the mid-90s, Phiri breathed his last after a long illness, but controversy surrounded his demise.
Post Entertainment this week decided to dig more into Phiri’s life and met the late musician’s sister, Febby Edith Phiri (65), as well as his counterpart in the music industry, age mate and RUNN family leader, Peter Muparutsa.
Neighbour, Itai ‘Mabhobho’ Kariparire also chipped in with more insights into Phiri’s life. The three shared common views.
He was a prayerful, focused and respectful musician who lived way ahead of his time — talk of the late American rapper, Tupac Shakur.
“Paul was a humble person,” began Febby.
She revealed that Phiri foretold his death a few weeks prior after he had bought a television set and some dinner plates.
“He had a few friends. He would spend most of his time alone. He would make makeshift guitars and was so passionate about music.
“When he finished Grade Seven and he was about to enrol for Form One at Elise Gledhill in Sakubva, he refused to continue with his studies. He secured a job at a company called Kingstones which dealt with timber.
“He bought his first guitar with his first salary and he never looked back. He would spend the whole day indoors strumming his guitar.
“He was a prayerful person and he would play a guitar while we sang some hymns from the Roman Catholic and other churches.
“He would buy musical equipment with every cent he laid his hands on. He would also do some rehearsals with some of his friends. Most of them are now late.
“Paul as a breadwinner would punish his little ones, including his sister’s son, Oblong, for unbecoming behaviour. Nobody would eat bread before attending church service every Sunday.
“We will forever cherish his humbleness,” said Paul’s sister.
But what could have killed him?
“On this other day around 1995-1996, he came home from Harare where he had gone for a meeting.
“He bought a new television set, some dinner plates and water glasses, things that were highly valuable at the time. He told me that he felt so uneasy when some women from his neighbourhood enviously looked at him as he was carrying the priceless possessions.
“He openly said: “Handifungi kuti ndinorarama nematarisirwe andaitwa (I don’t think I will survive long by the way these envious neighbours looked at me.)
“They peeped through some bush berries. From there, his health deteriorated. He looked tired and unusually quiet. As his health condition continued deteriorating, we took him to Dangamvura Polyclinic, but he never fully recovered. He tried attending shows, but his health continued failing him until he breathed his last,” said Febby.
The dreadlocked singer died around 1995.
Muparutsa chipped in: “Paul had excellent qualities of a musician. I remember when his band members passed on, we engaged him as a member of the RUNN Family and started touring the country, particularly Harare and Kariba where we held memorable shows.
“He was a secular artiste, just like the late Cephas Mashakada, as his music was also be played or performed in bars or night clubs. Back then we would play in venues such as Dangamvura Hotel, Freitas, Manica Hotel (Holiday Inn) and Queens Hall (Now Mutare Hall). I first knew him around 1970s when he stayed in Dangamvura, while I stayed in Sakubva.
“Phiri became part of a band called Chikokoko which was a resident outfit at Dangamvura Hotel. When we first met, we were not full time musicians, but one could tell how passionate Phiri was.
“Coming into the 80s, Phiri became popular for performing cover songs and he was so good at them. He won the hearts of many, not just in Mutare, but nationally. He, however, did not realise much money from music. I am not sure what caused his death, but he was unwell for some time,” said Muparutsa.
Black Saints also rubbed shoulders with Assegai Crew, Band AHA which was led by Paul and Jimmy Makureya, and The Vibrations which comprised veteran artistes such as Joseph and Patrick and Anselm Boka.
Hosiah Chipanga was also in the fold.
Kariparire says Phiri was good at reggae music and best in gospel hymns.
Said Kariparire: “Phiri and l grew up in the same neighbourhood. He was a cool guy and his friends were from the Muparutsa family, including Mukoma Mike who used to be his sound engineer.
“I remember Phiri’s drummer called Danny who lived opposite Rujeko Primary School’s main gate. It is an unforgettable moment. The legend Paul was good at reggae music and best in gospel hymns.
“Black Saints performed live shows at Dangamvura Tavern, Dangamvura Hotel, Maoresa, Gwinyai, Little Swallow and many other areas. Locally in Mutare, Black Saints competed with bands like V50 (Soma and Peter Black), RUNN family, Hosiah Chipanga, Cephas Mashakada and many others.
“I remember Phiri’s songs topped charts on national radio stations and he was so talented on the bass guitar. We will forever cherish his contribution to the music industry,” said Kariparire.
Phiri left a rich discography.
He churned out songs such as ‘Riripo Tsime’, ‘Uya Yesu’, ‘Ndiyeuke’, ‘Izwi Radaidzirwa’, ‘Zuva Richibuda’, ‘Pasi Rino’, ‘Mwari Anopa’ and ‘Tinokudza Kristo’.
His most popular album, ‘Oh Ishe’, contained tracks such as ‘Ziva Nemoyo’, ‘Mwari Ngoni Norupfave’, ‘Hama Yangu’, ‘Kuti Ndodaidzwa Ndiye’, ‘Mwari Wangu Samatenga’ and ‘Mweya Wangu Unomuponesi’, among others.
The gem ‘Yera Yera’ remains a sing along tune in bars and night clubs.
Music lovers believe his legacy can still be restored through his nephew, Oblong, who is a bass guitarist at Assegai Crew.
