By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Legendary musician Zexie Manatsa of the Green Arrows has died at age 78!
The Tea Hobvu singer succumbed to cancer only two days before fellow musician and his in-law Oliver Mtukudzi’s Date of Death. Mtukudzi died on January 23, 2019.
His son Tendai Manatsa announced Thursday via Facebook that his “hero had gone!”.
“With great sadness we would like to let everyone know that Our Father, Our Legend, Pastor and Sekuru Zexie Manatsa, has succumbed to cancer. May his dear soul rest in peace.”
Manatsa was born on 1 January 1944.
He is known for his several hits released while fronting the Green Arrows.
He launched his musical career in 1959 in Mhangura, Zimbabwe, at the age of 17 with his young brothers performing covers as Mambo Jazz Band.
He formed the Green Arrows Band in 1968 after relocating to Bulawayo, for which he provided lead vocals and played bass and they played cover versions of popular songs.
In 1972, the Green Arrows began writing their songs to mass appeal. South African saxophonist West Nkosi, who was also a consultant for Gallo Records, discovered the band and became their producer in the 70s. The resulting album, “Chipo Chiroorwa”, sold so well and the band moved to the capital city of Harare.
Zex released many tracks which have proved to be all-time hits such as “Bambo Mwakwatila”, “Vaparidzi Vawanda”, “Mwana Waenda”, “Chechule Anavala Bottom”, and “Chimwamuna Chamimba”.
Their track “Musango Mune Hangaiwa” stayed at number one in Zimbabwe’s pop charts for a staggering 17 weeks
In 1979, Manatsa made history when he got married to his long-time partner, Stella where he chose Rufaro Stadium as the venue for the wedding, and fans would pay $1 each to witness the ceremony. On August 25, 1979, Rufaro Stadium was full to the brim with excited fans who had come to witness the amazing “Wedding of the Year”.
Manatsa’s low, raspy lead vocals and bass playing defined the group’s sound, while his brother Stanley played the lead guitar. Manatsa remained popular in the post-independence era, producing hits such as Chivaraidze and the swooning Tii Hobvu.
Manatsa is with no doubt the father of pre-and post-independence Zimbabwean music as he was instrumental in playing traditional music as evidenced by his hits such as Madzangara Dzimu, Nyoka Yendara, Mudzimu Ndiringe, and Tsuro, songs which had pro-liberation innuendos. Many guerillas had used his house as a base and he had become a marked man by the Smith regime for singing pro-liberation songs.
Manatsa inspired many musicians of his era such as Oliver Mukudzi, James Chimombe, Lovemore Majaivana, Tinei Chikupo, Leonard Dembo, Thomas Mapfumo, and Simon Chimbetu.
While working in Bulawayo in the 1960s, Zexie encouraged the inclusion of musical skills at Jairos Jiri Centre and through his efforts, the first Jairos Jiri Band known as the Sunrise Kwela Kings was formed. Manatsa thus played a key role in giving guidance and support for success to many top Zimbabwe.
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