Hail Nwa Gija Chauke was an unsung heeroine
The Village Voice Tribute
Nwa Gija Chauke was an unsung heroine of Xitsonga traditional music. There is no shred of any doubt that granny Phazimani Tsatsawani Chauke ne’ Bila aka Nwa Gija was an unsung hero of Xitsonga traditional music, if not music in general.The granny who died at her home at Mashobye in the Collins Chabane Local Municipality on Friday is someone who bore five top musicians.
Her children and grandchildren are pillars of showbiz in the country.Her daughter Florah Nwa Chauke, herself an award winning artist conformed her mother’s passing.“It is true she passed on Friday leaving us the poorer. She was the pillar of my life and I have been left weaker with her passing,” said the artist who is one of the top Xitsonga music female artists.She said her mother would be laid to rest at Mash bye on Saturday.“Since she left a mark as having produced many artists, we are going to give her a fitting and dignified funeral,” she said.Some of the granny’s children who made their mark on the music scene were the late Sam Sikiza Chauke, Elias Chauke, Condry Chauke and Patson Chauke.Sam Sikiza was the second Xitsonga speaking artist after Dr Thomas Chauke to receive a Sama award.Known as the King of Remix, Sikiza Chauke who was a mathematics teacher also produced many artists such as Penny Penny and Mfana and his younger sister Florah Nwa Chauke who started her music as one of his bands’s backing singers.Elias Chauke is also a respected gospel artists just as Condry Chauke is also a respected artist in the Xitsonga traditional music genre.Patson Chauke is a leading producer in the Xitsonga traditional music as well as in the disco genre.He has also produced many artists such as Gezani Thomas Mzamani, Matshwa Bemuda, GS Maluleke and was also the one who produced Penny Penny’s popular album Ta Makhwaya.
At the funeral of Sam Sikiza three years ago, top artists such as Penny Penny and Benny Mayengani all addressed the mourners each saying he has been assisted musically from the family.Tiyi Sikiza Chauke, one of Sam Sikiza Chauke’s children is a core member of Benny Mayengani’s band.Veteran musician MC Mabasa says although she never performed herself, granny Nwa Gija Chauke has contributed a lot to music.“We must give credit where it is due and honour her as a heroine because she had contributed immensely to showbiz through her children and granny children,” said MC Mabasa. He said all roads lead to Mashobye on Saturday.Hail Nwa Gija Chauke Nkata John Draai Chauke Hanci.May her soul rest in peace.
