“You can see I’m very old, but if I die now, I will die a happy man because the gifts I received today are very special. I have never been so happy in my life, and what happened today will keep me smiling until my last day on earth.” These were the words of 73-year-old guitar wizard Nndanganeni Patrick “Bra Pat” Masindi of Musina Nancefield after he was presented with a new Squire Telecaster Fender electric guitar and a high-tension Blackstar amplifier worth more than R20,000.

The gifts were bought and presented by Prof Matodzi Tommy Mariba, an orthopaedic and spine surgeon who plies his trade in Gauteng. The presentation took place at Masindi’s home last Tuesday.

Better known as Dr Tom in musical circles, Prof Mariba formed the group Magic Strings in 2022 with Vhahangwele Netshifhefhe, Mulalo Mukwevho, and Blessing Mudzanani. Among the band’s famous songs are “Khanyisile Come Home,” “Chezla Pozla,” and “Do You Know.”

Born and bred in Phadzima village outside Louis Trichardt, Prof Mariba said he had been following Masindi’s musical track record for some time and realised that the old man had played a major role in the development of music in the country, but sadly he had gone unnoticed and unrecognised.

He explained: “I heard about the old man some time back while I was doing my music promotion on Musina FM. This was through the local jazz music presenter, Alfred Chuene. I looked into his musical background and realised that he is one of the legends who need to be appreciated for their role in the music industry. I took it upon myself, despite my busy schedule, to make time to visit this legend whose contributions are immeasurable but unnoticed. We hadn’t physically met before until I visited him today to present him with what he deserves.”

Upon receiving the gifts, Masindi did not have enough words to thank Prof Mariba for his generosity. He said, “For over 40 years, I have been playing lead guitar for various bands and artists, but I have never been rewarded with wonderful presents like these. I had never known Prof Mariba before, and I was not even aware that he was doing a background check on my music. I took it lightly when Alfred Chuene informed me that I would have a visitor, but it was a big surprise when Prof Mariba arrived with these gifts. I am now a senior citizen and I love music, but on my own, I cannot afford this modern equipment presented to me today. May the Almighty God bless Prof Mariba day in and day out.”

A self-taught guitarist, Masindi started playing lead guitar in 1978 and was later discovered by producer Philip Pieters, who took him to Gauteng, where he joined and recorded albums with the then Mourners Band. The band travelled and performed all over South Africa until it ceased to exist in the late eighties. In 2005, Masindi formed the Midrands Jazz Band in Musina, and he has also played and recorded with artists such as Vhembe Heritage, Mazwale, and Malondolo. He now spends most of his time teaching guitar skills free of charge to the youth of Musina at his home.