By Dr Michelina Andreucci

WHILE many among us claim their contribution to the war was more important than others, it is incontrovertible the struggle to liberate Zimbabwe from the binding shackles of colonialism was waged on several fronts.
Music, from time immemorial, has been an indispensable force that shores up political, cultural and ideological efforts. In Zimbabwe, the lyrical content, meaning, generative and evolutionary process exploited by Cde Chinx in Chimurenga music helped to encourage and sustain a close socio-political link in the life of Zimbabwe’s indigenous peoples.
An iconic voice of the struggle; no one can forget the morale-rousing songs, words and impact that Dickson Chinx Chingaira had on the fighters during Zimbabwe’s war of liberation.
The music of Cde Chinx — chizukuru chaMambo Makoni — resonated from the struggle to the independence we enjoy today. His songs still live on and are an important and pertinent part of our history. He carved and created his own niche in the Chimurenga music that emerged during the war of liberation — and wrought a new musical identity and awareness to the genre.
Cde Chinx was the result of an age when politics prevented differences of races, philosophy, party and platform to become barriers to co-operation and mutual respect; a time when adversary did not see each other as patriots – yet he saw and treated me as one!
With fist raised, he bore the brunt of the struggle dubbed ‘Chimurenga Chechipiri’, in his gruff baritone voice.
Chivalry and endurance characterised Cde Chinx’s resolve about our nation’s destiny, its rightful sovereignty and national identity. His was a voice of fortitude; buoyed by audacious lyrics that defied Rhodesian oppression.
Valorous and resolute, head up in the skies, unflinching, Cde Chinx would sing his songs; emboldened with fortifying lyrics that gave the liberation cadres belief, confidence and national resolve.
Cde Chinx was many people personified in his music. He was an unflinching pan-Africanist calling for a unified Africa exemplified in his song ‘Vanhu Vose Vemuno muAfrica’ (All the People of Africa), which captures the essence of humanity and unity in the facts laid bare; of injustice and unfairness.
His signature salute and military antics in his videos illustrated his training as a soldier; he was a jovial character with a jaunty walk and a cheerful high-spirited demeanour. At Takawira Base, his inexhaustible energy and music chronicled the historical events that led to the final victory.
He radiated the camps with morale and undying confidence in the cause. He inculcated fearlessness and resolution in the ZANLA cadres. Dauntless, he emboldened the liberation cadres with belief and confidence.
Throughout my career as a designer and stage designer for the various early celebratory and commemorative Zimbabwean national galas and awards, the unassuming character of Cde Chinx often made the work lighter and more agreeable during these events, which were often nerve-racking. We shared many a light moment together.
Musicians such Cde Chinx and many others formed part of the bedrock of the Second Chimurenga. They inspired, encouraged and taught the values and direction of the liberation struggle through orature, poetry and song; expressing their heart-felt feelings and thoughts, including those of the leaders and fellow comrades and fighters.
Quoting from one of Dr Tony Monda’s article – ‘Reliving Chimurenga in Music and Song – The role of music in the liberation struggle’: “…Music portrayed and propelled the values of the liberation struggle; and served an important role in boosting the morale of the people and the liberation soldiers. Musicians and their music played an important role in the recruitment, encouragement and spiritual sustenance of the people during the Zimbabwean war of liberation. It was the spiritual tonic of Zimbabwe’s war of liberation…”
Cde Chinx’s morale-boosting musical contribution was a significant cog in the struggle for liberation. It not only energised the cadres, but was essential in inculcating the values of the struggle to the people; it cannot be over-emphasised.
A chizukuru of Chief Makoni who was captured and summarily executed by the white settlers in 1896 during the First Chimurenga, Cde Chinx was born in Chief Makoni’s district of Rusape on September 27 1955. He attended Chigora Primary School in Rusape, where his headmaster encouraged him to join the school choir.
On completion of secondary school, he received a medical academic queastorial to study medicine overseas, which he failed to take up due to failure to obtain the necessary travel documents.
In 1974 he worked at an engineering plant in Msasa. In 1975 at the age of 20, Cde Chinx crossed into Mozambique to join the liberation struggle based at Takawira Camp, where he led the ZANLA Choir composing songs and performing for the freedom fighters. He also worked at the Voice of Zimbabwe, a satellite radio station based in Mozambique to draw Zimbabweans to join the liberation struggle.
After independence, Cde Chinx worked for a time at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), while continuing to write and record his inspirational revolutionary songs.
He teamed up to form The Barrel of Peace band with Bennie Miller and Keith Farquharson with whom he recorded his early hits ‘Ngorimba’, ‘Zvikomberero’ and ‘Nerudo’.
In his signature song, released soon after independence, ‘Maruza Imi Vapambipfumi’, he is a victor taunting his enemy. In 1989, he wrote the score for the South African documentary Limpopo Line. His hit song ‘Roger Confirm’, remained on the hit charts for over 25 weeks in 1989 and early 1990.
In the early 1990s he collaborated with the well-known group, Ilanga, with the late Andy Brown and Don Gumbo. In 1996 he played a leading role in the Zimbabwean movie about the Second Chimurenga, Flame, as well as feature on the soundtrack.
His song ‘Maruza Vapambipfumi’ was awarded the Best Soundtrack in the movie by M-net Africa. He won numerous other awards during his colourful career, including a National Arts Merit (NAMA) Award and the Silver Jubilee Award.
As an outspoken advocate of the agrarian land reform, Cde Chinx released ‘Hondo Yeminda’ backed by the Police Band in the early 2000s. In 2002 he released ‘Hondo Yakura Muzimbabwe’ 
Best remembered for brandishing an AK, singing, dancing and ground-stamping Cde Chinx was an iconic member of the great brotherhood of musicians (many late and long forgotten, others alive and struggling), who braved arbitrary arrest, beatings and imprisonment by the repressive white minority regime to inspire their comrades and spur on the Chimurenga.
Cde Chinx saw more pain and tragedy in his life than most of us will ever know; but he refused to let himself become bitter and hardened — instead he became more alive to the plight and the suffering of others as often articulated in his songs.
Lamentably today, he and other outstanding musicians lack recognition; and remain unsung heroes of the liberation struggle; their vital contribution to war was never recognised by the National Arts Council or other bodies, but has long been forgotten.
Lest the memory of Zimbabwe’s war of liberation be confined only to the legends and accounts of generals, marshals, captains and leaders, our history must take into account the more than handful of common men and women who played their role to liberate the nation.
Appreciation of the Chimurenga musicians and music and their part in the war of liberation of the past will prove to be much more interesting, much richer and undoubtedly much closer to the truth than the hitherto handed-down concepts or criteria.
With a spirit of resilience and good humour, Cde Chinx refused to surrender to self-pity and regret; instead, despite ill-health, he continued to work. Early this year he released a 7-track album entitled Good Zimbabwe
Today, as we look back and remember the life of Zimbabwe’s iconic multi-talented revolutionary singer-songwriter Cde Chinx and the one great accomplishment that mattered most to him — Chimurenga che nyika yeZimbabwe — reverence must be tempered with an appreciation for the commonplace.
Let us spare a moment and pause to reflect on Comrade Dick ‘Chinx’ Chingaira and the contribution he made in all our lives.
May his soul rest in peace!
Dr Michelina Rudo Andreucci is a Zimbabwean-Italian researcher, industrial design consultant lecturer and specialist hospitality interior decorator. She is a published author in her field. For comments e-mail: linamanucci@gmail.com