My Ray Chikapa Phiri

*Phone Rings*

Mashadi : Mr Ray Chikapa Phiri

Chikapa:  My Daa-ling! MyShadi

Mashadi: Chikapa. How are you?

Chikapa:  I'm talking to you. Life is good! Talk to me Shadi...


Eight years ago, on a  hot Polokwane afternoon  I met Chikapa.  It was a Saturday.  I was 26 years old and didn't think too much about the future.   I couldn't have imagined that tomorrow would never be the same again.   Tomorrow  and  today thereafter became the realest of  fairy tales.   I worked with Stimela, yes the whole band, I met them all.  My task was to interview them and write short biographies about each member and then  about Stimela itself.   For two months of my young life, without a day off,  I lived and breathed Stimela,  Everything I know about Ray Phiri...he told me himself.

I too was surprised when the project finished and Chikapa kept in touch with me. He insisted that I stay.  He  said "  Your heart is in the right place Shadi. Learn,lalela (listen),  this is how Stimela works..."  and this conversation went on until  he could no longer come to the phone.

I am not able , at this point to talk about this extraordinary friendship.  My feelings are untidy .  I need to  distill them first.  Identify with them  and then  I will be able to express them.  For now I'll tell you what I now about my friend:

Ray Chikapa Phiri

Mashadi Mathosa

He wore a round copper bracelet

A soft cotton T-shirt

Pageboy hat

Denim jeans and

Converse All Stars

He took his coffee black

And his tobacco strong

He loved a blended red wine

And his cognac on ice

He sat with his left leg crossed over his right

Sometimes with his chin in his hand

He nodded again and again in agreement

And pressed his lips together

He loved to look up

He joked with school boy charm

And laughed with teenage mischief

Breaking into a  cough

Fisting his right hand

Arching his back

And laughing some more

 He read libraries

And never forgot a thing

He loved listening  to  music

And knew all of it

Take your time!

Think!

Let’s Talk!

Lalela!

Take it easy!

Inspired

By Father,

Dancing marionettes,

By Love,

Life,

By you.

He bared his Soul

He left nothing unsaid

He belted out his feelings

He gave us all he had

Asked us questions and

Gave us the answers.

His songs tell his story

“I’m having fun”

The resident chef

The bottom-less pit of stories

The guitar strumming genius

Always left the party in full-swing

“Are you afraid to die?”

“No. Dying is a release”

“Why should I be afraid?”

"Don't be  afraid Shadi"

"I've given you everything"

He is Frankie and he is Jonase

The dreamer

The master

The channel

The friend

The father 

The lover 

The superstar 

He is the Highland Drifter

“I can see shooting stars writing my name”

Ray Chikapa Phiri

 ------------

Chikapa taught me how to throw caution to the wind.  How to pick a great wine and  how to cook fish. He showed me the best books and the greatest music.   How to rise from a rut and let my light shine.How to listen to the voices in my head.  He taught me how to  filter a good coffee and mix a refreshing gin and tonic.   He reminded me to drink water . Chikapa taught me how to live. 

 I miss him.

2009 , At my parent's house in Turfloop

Recommended for MyShadi, The art of loving.
2010, La Toscana Polokwane

2010,   at the SABC Studios in Polokwane

 

2012 , at the  ANC  centenary celebration in Bloemfontein

2015,  with our friend Lethabo at his home in  Nelspruit. It was was the 12th of July.

Mashadi:  I love you

Chikapa: Shadi , I love you for my life

Mashadi:  Chikapa, I love you always

Chikapa: I love you for my life

* drops phone*