Veteran musician Cde Dickson Chingaira, popularly known as “Cde Chinx”, can now move into the house that the Zimbabwe Music Awards built for him. The four-bedroomed house in Mabelreign, Harare, was handed over to the Chingaira family yesterday at a colourful ceremony presided over by First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe. And Cde Chinx, who is battling cancer, made it to the event, albeit in a wheelchair.

It was a day of joy mixed with tears, which came 24 hours after the musician was discharged from hospital. The house — which has two master bedrooms — has got everything that befits a modern house; fully painted, ceiling, tiles, cabinet fittings, lawn and pavements.

The event was graced by Government officials, musicians and businesspersons, with entertainment being provided by the Police Band, a group that has a long working relationship with Cde Chinx.

Cde Chinx, seating in between his two wives, Patricia and Ntombizodwa, shed tears throughout the event. Zima, under the stewardship of its chairperson Joseph Nyadzayo, took about three years to complete the house.Cde Chinx was given the Lifetime Achievement award by Zima in 2014.

The award is meant to honour living legends who have made it in the music industry. Dr Mugabe hailed Cde Chinx for his role in the liberation struggle and after independence.

“We have a tendency of wanting to celebrate people when they are departed, but today we are celebrating what Cde Chinx has done for us through music whilst he is still with us,” she said.

“He went to war getting guidance from leaders like President Mugabe and it might be that Cde Chinx’s clothes were poisoned (by the Ian Smith regime) during the war, hence his being in a wheel chair today.