Magunje, Januray 01, 2012- Popular Zimbabwean musicians snubbed the burial of the late barbed wire musician, promoter cum businessman Prince Tendai Mupfurutsa who was laid to rest at his Mupfurutsa village in Magunje 30 kilometer out of Karoi here on Saturday afternoon.

Albert Nyathi, Mehluli Taz Moyo of Revenge Revenge, Imbongi members,  Michael Magaya of Vabati VeJohavha, Soul Borne attended the burial among others. Nyathi apologised on behalf of those who did not attend saying they were booked for shows, although he cancelled his own show in Gwanda.

He was laid alongside his father Manyika Roma, brother Obadia, sisters Miriam and Sarudzai among other relatives.

As the grave was dug, mourners were treated with his yestaryear bits among them Character, Chipo Babie, among others.

Nyathi who took over from the late Mupfurutsa as chairperson of Zimbabwe Music Rights
Association told Radio VOP that the late musician was a true brother from the other mother.

"Mupfurutsa paid airfare for my band members when I had run short of money during my European tour. He could assist everyone and was not selective" Mutare businessman Mike Madiro told mourners that he was close to Tendai as his music was universal.

"Prince Tendai was business minded as he made me what I am today.'' Madiro travelled for nearly 500 kilometers to the funeral. Speaking to mourners, Minister of Information Webster Shamu said, "Prince Tendai was prophetic and his music molded communities through their music.

“It is their duty to freedom, peace and harmony. Prince Tendai closed the 2011 curtain for musicians and its a sad moment for us" He denounced piracy of musicians and called politicians to interact with people.


"We have not done justice to Tendai who assisted to help the community where he came from" Shamu also paid tribute on behalf of Acting President Joyce Mujuru.

Friend Alex Goho said Tendai was a brother who could assist him during funeral. "Tendai assist several people in Harare and we are grateful to him".


Tendai went to Howard for primary and secondary schools and worked in councils before he ventured into music forming High Density studios where recorded urban groove music. He graded a road linking his village and had plans to build a clinic in the area.

The late Big Tembo of Bhundu Boys also came from Hurungwe.