Messages of condolences continue to pour in from the world over for the departed Transit Crew guitarist and founding member, Samaita Zindi, who succumbed to prostate cancer early this week. His death comes close to that of fellow founding member, Munya Nyemba, who died of a heart attack back in 2016; both demises have left the once-vibrant local reggae outfit the poorer.
Transit Crew manager Taonga “TK” Mafundikwa drew a photograph from the archives that has both Transit Crew legends in it and he posted on his FB timeline:
“This pic was taken a few years back and the visual clearly indicate a happy lot!! However two of the pillars within the Transit Crew reggae band are no more. After the demise of Elder Munya Nyemba who succumbed to a heart attack in 2016, we went on to lose elder Samaita Zindi two days ago who succumbed to prostate cancer. Samaita, mi bredrin, fare the well Rasta. U were a blessing and a gift to humankind. U will forever be missed. MYDRIEP.”
A foreign fan of the group, Tor Age Schunemann, had this to say about the loss:
“I’m so saddened to receive this news. Remember Zindi very well. Beautiful person. Great loss to the Zimbabwean music community. May he Rest In Peace,” while another international colleague who followed Transit music closely, Zuluman Liontribe, wrote: “RIP mi bredda. Almighty Jah Bless your soul as you make your final journey to Zion.”
Zindi, a brother to music professor Fred Zindi, was one of the founding members of Transit Crew back in 1988, after Misty In Roots drummer Munya Brown decided to stay behind in Zimbabwe following a performance. He teamed up with Tendai Gamure (a.k.a Culture T), Emmanuel Frank, Munya Nyemba, Samaita Zindi, Temba Jacobs and Anthony “Leba” Amon to form what was arguably the best reggae act on the domestic scene.
Transit Crew released three albums namely Sounds Playing (featuring the hit song Reggae Malytas), The Message and Money, all of which were overwhelmingly received across the globe. In 1990 they toured Japan’s capital city, Tokyo, on a working visit that lasted six months.
Over the years, the group has been playing instruments for visiting international acts apart from having shared the stage with renowned outfits that included the likes of the group Culture, Ijahman Levi, Shabba Ranks, Dennis Brown and Eric Donaldson.
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