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Trust Khosa 

He identified, nurtured and shaped many careers.

In sungura music, they call him “teacher”, “messiah” or “elder” in appreciation of his work.

He has a passion for overall musical mentorship, grooming and etiquette.

In his prime, he clothed, fed and provided a roof to his peers who went on to become household names in showbiz.

On several occasions, he was betrayed by “greedy” students who deserted him to join established groups without his blessing.

Besides the betrayal and backstabbing, his nursery continued churning out stars.

Stars who passed through his great tutelage include Alick Macheso, John Chibadura, Ngwenya Brothers co-founders (Tedius and Jabulani Matsito), Somandla “Mafia” Ndebele, R&K African Sounds duo (Ranga Sagombeto and Kelvin Chikoore), Botwell Butao, among others. 

A true “shepherd” and refinery of raw talent back in the day, Shepherd Chinyani deserves his flowers now.

For his contribution, he feels empty as accolades have eluded him.

Chinyani revealed he doesn’t want millions of dollars, but just an honour from arts regulatory chiefs.

Love or loathe him, he is a living legend who shaped many careers.

His journey started in Seke communal lands as a greenhorn before he settled in Dzivaresekwa (formerly Gillingham) where he gave sanctuary to showbiz fortune hunters.

After grooming several stars in Dzivaresekwa, he retracted his Seke roots where he now stays with his two wives.

Like the biblical Moses, who led the Israelites out of slavery and parted the Red Sea to let them escape from the Egyptians, Chinyani never got to the Promised Land. Neither is he a Joshua.

Chinyani is now convinced that he will meet the Maker in the same manner as Moses who died on Mount Nebo at the age of 120, within sight of the Promised Land.

Moses never reached the Promised Land, but he played his part.

Taking us down memory lane, Chinyani said he has now accepted his fate.

“In life, there are people who are meant to act as bridges and springboards and I am one of them,” said Chinyani.

The Vhuka Boys founder believes God has a special present for him in the future.

“I might not have millions in the bank, but my products speak for themselves.

“I once stayed with John Chibadura at my house in Dzivaresekwa when I taught him to play the electric guitar since he was good at homemade banjos.

“He only left when he was good, and then came Alick Macheso around 1986. 

“In-between, I was looking after Tineyi Chikupo who was hopping from one band to the other,” recalled Chinyani.

The 66-year-old, who was born a natural leader, recounted how Macheso settled in Dzivaresekwa.

“Macheso was referred to me by someone in Shamva that I was a music teacher and I took him inside my house as one of my own.

“He was a fast learner and I was impressed by how he mastered all the instruments in a short space of time.

“I also taught him the same guitar lines that have made him popular, but I like the fact that he keeps on improvising.”

After the split of the Vhuka Boys, which led to the formation of Khiama Boys, Chinyani was disappointed as he lost Macheso.

“Macheso was stolen from me by Nicholas Zakaria during one of the shows.

“Madzibaba rented a house for Macheso in Epworth where he was hiding him from me.

“I then approached Macheso and blessed his musical journey and advised him not to go into hiding since I was used to this kind of betrayal,” said.

Chinyani, who was betrayed by most of  his products, is getting well along with his peers.

“I am always in touch with Madzibaba and Macheso. Macheso doesn’t want to hear that I am in trouble or sick.

“He is one of my products who remembers their roots and I am glad to have such people in my life.”

Chinyani, who has been in the game for five decades, recalls the early 80s as his best days.

“When my band Vhuka Boys was still intact, we would outclass other groups because I had great dancers like Margaret Gweshe (Nicholas Zakaria’s wife) who had just arrived from Kasongo Band and Tineyi Chikupo.

“The only setback is that I would suffer from a mysterious illness while other groups poached my band members.

“Simon Chimbetu also poached Solo Makore from me and I had to find a  replacement,” recalled Chinyani.

For his long life, Chinyani reckons shunning promiscuity saved him.

“Growing up, I was well-cultured and I wasn’t a womaniser which saved me. I still teach my sons (Simba, Pyman, and Shepherd Junior) to live by the same principle to survive.

 “They are all playing with several bands and I don’t want them to follow in the same trap.”

On his plans to revive his musical career, he added:

“I haven’t given up on music and I would like to thank Kireni Zulu who came up with a brilliant idea of bringing together yesteryear stars for recording sessions.

“Kireni tracked me down in Seke and outlined his vision, which I fully embraced.

“We are busy working on something due for release soon along with other legends like Knowledge Kunenyati.” 

Chinyani appealed for well-wishers to assist him in completing the building of his house in Seke.

“I have built my house here in Seke, but am having challenges acquiring roofing material.

“I stay with my two wives, but our home is incomplete. Those willing to assist should come on board.”

As we celebrate Heroes and Defence Forces holidays, Chinyani’s name should be high up there as he played his part in the evolution of sungura music.