Assegai Crew dumps Mutare

Liberty Dube
IN a shocking development that will leave Mutare poorer, musically, Ragga Manyika outfit Assegai Crew is set to leave Mutare for Harare in search of greener pastures, Weekender Entertainment can reveal. Group members interviewed this week said the music industry was not yielding the desired results in Mutare and they were at the end of this month migrating to the capital city where there is more competition, money, fame and exposure.

Ironically, the group once relocated to Harare when it was still led by the late founding father and lead vocalist, Stobart Chidikano, but retraced their steps back home following the demise of its founding father.

The group, which was formed in 1991, spent several years in Harare where they were based in Avondale and Warren Park.
They were holed up in Harare from 1996 to 2003.

They toured places with various artistes who included the late musicians Simon Chimbetu and Tongai Moyo. They made huge bucks and conquered Zimbabwe and various countries across Africa in the mid-90s.

This must have inspired the youthful group led by the only surviving member in the current group, Silas Makumbe, to try their luck again in Harare.

“Mutare is a great place to be, but not musically. Music is not paying here so we have decided to migrate to Harare. We need more support. We also want to go there to market our new album. People there are also conversant with our music, so at least we won’t struggle to settle there. We will always come back to Mutare because that is where our roots are,” said lead vocalist, Massy Mbutsa.

The group is currently riding high with their comeback album, Tadzokahe (We are back).
The group leader, Makumbe, said it was unfortunate that people in Mutare tend to support Harare-based musicians more than local ones.
He reminisced the “good old days” he and the late members had in Harare before death tore them apart.

“It is sad, but we have no option but to migrate. People in Harare are more supportive. No one respects us here. I remember when we were there, music used to pay and we would fend for our families. We hope we will achieve our dream. Assegai Crew won’t die,” said the ageing Makumbe.

The group will partner Runn Family for a series of shows in Harare. They will also stage a farewell show at a venue to be announced before they leave.