Remembering the life of Musa Juma

The late Musa Juma

When he breathed his last on March 15, 2011, not many of his fans believed Orchestra Super Limpopo could keep living on.

But 13 years after his death, the band is still strong!

Throughout his career as a Rhumba and Benga artiste, the late Musa Juma was articulate with his compositions and songs, which made them attract lots of fans.

And it wasn't until his death that they (fans) realised that the late Juma was truly an enigma in the World of Rhumba and Benga and his music will continue to live on.

After his death, some original band members left the outfit to venture into other interests. They included soloist Makujana who returned to his motherland Tanzania, bass guitarist Professor Azim and drummer Vasca Dagama.

Immediately after their departure, a team of young musicians were recruited and brought on board to fill that void by its leadership.

As the world celebrates his 13th anniversary this week, Orchestra Super Limpopo has been living and active under the leadership of Musa Juma's younger sister Milly Fedha.

After taking this mantle, she changed the name from Orchestra Limpopo to Orchestra Super Limpopo.

Although Juma's death was a setback to the team, it has shaped the personality of Fedha for the greater successes she has so far achieved in her ability to be in the class of Congolese songstresses Mbilia Abel, Tshala Mwana or Nana Akumu.

Though the band has survived the test of time over the years amid stiff economic challenges and competition from different rivals, Fedha said "It is the survival of the fittest as this situation is being faced by everybody".

"We are giving it our best to ensure we deliver on our expectations to our fans," she said.

Her work has seen her produce four new albums since she took over and all of them have been installed on YouTube.

They are Baba Natasha, Siaya County, Jaherana (My Lover) and Hera Neko (Mad Love), all sung in Luo dialect.

As the fans commemorate the anniversary, Fedha revealed they have plans to construct a Mausoleum for the fallen artiste.

"We need to have his (Juma) remains interred at a respectable place and not outside there. We need all his fans to access his final resting respectable place as opposed to how he was buried. ," she said.

Despite not stating how much they require to build the facility, the artiste said they are determined to ensure their plans come to fruition.

Fedha learnt the art of music while performing in the band with her late brother.

"It's not easy to run this kind of a band in a male-dominated career when you are faced with different challenges but we'll continue doing it steadily," Fedha said.

The band is based in Nairobi and performs on weekends. On Fridays, it performs at Melleden Club in Upper Hill while on Saturdays, they get down to Club Paradiso, along Jogoo Road.