By Trevor Makonyonga
I am glad I managed to get some form of goodbye from one of the talented creatives I have ever met. Tuesday, October 5, was the last time I would ever see my friend and brother, George “Jiggaz” Tanjani alive. He lit his face when he saw me and off course the feeling was mutual as it had been months since we last met. The usual crap of us going back and forth teasing each other and then switching to being serious meant that we would stand there in front of Food World at Copa Cabana for about an hour. He was teasing me about how I had grown big as had become a norm and I was teasing him about wearing red pants and having hair that never grows. This would be the last conversation we would have.
It reminded me of the first time we linked up. It was at some function at Harare Gardens. Then the relationship got solidified during the ghetto passa passas hosted by Barbara Chikosi where Jiggaz and Ricky Fire always stole the show with a “beef” they had generated. It was pure entertainment. The line-up had the likes of Benjie T, Guspy Warrior and Godfather Temple man. We literally became brothers. He had so much energy on stage as Jiggaz and a soft vulnerable side as George. He mixed it up so well that it was difficult to ignore him.
George was not only a talented musician but also an actor. He was in many productions including Patsime Trust. People tend to always say nice things about a person when he passes on and half the time it’s all lies. George’s passing hurt a lot of people because he was one genuine person. Of course he had his flaws like every other human being but if he was friends with a person, he was genuine. Most people who were close to him can attest to the fact that his energy levels were very high. His hand was not short although at times it was a ‘if you snooze you lose’ situation which you would then laugh about moments later. He was just a jovial person.
At just 39, his passing has left most people in entertainment orbits shocked. The truth is that although he still had a lot of energy in him to run a million more miles, the race he ran amounts to a lifetime. He left us with hits, motion pictures and great memories where we can always comfort ourselves. This platform would be too small if we were to say out all the things this great entertainer left us. It is sad that his seven children will grow without a father and that family has lost a loved one, but we thank God that although his life was short, there are many moments within it to cherish.
Bereavement is at 4865 Glen Norah A, Harare. Burial will be announced in due course.
Till we meet again, Rest easy Jiggaz Di Antidote.
