For years, fans have been starved of the quality in Malax’s voice, the eccentrics of Skuza, the folktales of Moyo and the amazing footwork of Bingo.
Most new acts fell short in trying to fill that void, giving credence to the assertion that such talent is sometimes genetic. Unlike Simon Chimbetu, Safirio Madzikatire and Leonard Dembo, most of these fallen Matabeleland greats did not leave heirs to their throne.
Reprieve came when Skuza’s spirit was given a new lease on life by the emergence of his younger brother Chase, who has performed some of the legend’s songs at shows and even shot videos. But that created another deficiency – the lack of competition that existed between the elder Skuza and Malax.
The Malaba throne has also recently been occupied by two heirs. Witness Malaba, stage name Ndux Junior, and Civa Malax have vowed to keep the “Batshele” war-cry alive.
Ndux Jnr, son of the late great, has enjoyed success with his five albums, released between 2007 and 2011, while his cousin Civa, descendent of another late Malax legend – Lucky, has weighed in with two.
Ndux Jnr’s debut release with his Batshele Brothers became an instant hit, especially the track “Baphelile Abatsha”, which lamented the rise in deaths of young Zimbabweans crossing to South Africa in pursuit of better opportunities. “I plan to keep doing my best and carry on from where my father left. He did not just sing, but taught people a lot about life and that is what I will keep doing as well,” he said.
His cousin, who leads Milikani Brothers, said: “Ndux Jnr is there to plug the gap left by his father, while I am there to keep the Lucky legacy alive, hence our different trademarks, with each following on his father’s footsteps.” While competing to be masters in their own right, the two brothers have still maintained the family unity that saw their fathers conquer.
Post published in: Entertainment