There is life after Dhewa - Wife

SUNGURA maestro Tongai Moyo's widow, Minenhle Mkhweli, has opened two flea markets in Kwekwe to try and fend for her family after the death of her husband. This move comes at a time when the Dhewa family is still struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss of Tongai.

Saturday Leisure recently caught up with Mkhweli who said she had to be strong both physically and mentally for the sake of their children. Mkhweli said the Dhewa family was still struggling to come to terms with the loss of Tongai who was a breadwinner not only for their family but the extended family.

"When Tongai passed on it was automatic that I was supposed to take over from where he had left in terms of taking care of the family. I then decided to open up two flea markets in Kwekwe and that is financially helping the family a lot," she said.

Mkhweli said the two flea markets had kept her busy. "I am now a woman who is always up and about as I now travel to countries like South Africa and Dubai buying products for resale in Zimbabwe. "This has kept me busy and helped me not to think deeply," she said. Mkhweli said some of the funds raised from the flea markets were being used in the completion of their family house.

"It is unfortunate that when Tongai passed on, our family house was still under construction. As we speak I have managed to work very hard and I have used my funds for the completion of the house," she said.

There had been reports of a split with the family with Tongai’s son, Peter, said not to be looking after his siblings. Mkhweli had threatened to take over the band and kick out some of Tongai’s children. But these issues appear to have been resolved. Mkhweli said she was not fending for the family single-handedly as Moyo's son, Peter, was also helping with the money he gets from the shows.

"I respect Peter for making himself available for the family and he is making important financial contributions towards the welfare of the family," she said. Mkhweli said it was disappointing to note that some people wanted to divide the family that had been united by Tongai.

"A lot has been said about my family, but my God has managed to keep us united and I work closely with Peter who has since taken over in fending for the family," she said. Mkhweli said she still stays with Tongai's five children. "Before Tongai passed on he asked me to take good care of our children and that is exactly what I am doing.

"I stay with my husband's five children — Natasha, Nyasha, Tanaka, Nichole and Peter," she said. Mkhweli said she was a proud mother who was still able to provide for all her children. "Even if Tongai is no longer around I am happy that I can still provide for my family. "In June we will be moving to our family house that is almost complete," she said.