Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
BLESSING Shumba has a series of engagements on one day — including appearances at album launches in Harare and Mutare — and there are fears he could fail to fulfil some of them.
Dorcas Moyo and Argatha Murudzwa are now concerned whether Shumba will make it to their album launches given his series of commitments on the day.
Moyo is set to launch her 10th album titled “Mugeri Tsvatu” at the Manicaland Showgrounds, where Shumba is part of the line-up.
Other musicians joining this event include Leonard Zhakata, Alick Macheso, Suluman Chimbetu, King David (formerly Baba Harare), Aston “Mbeu” Nyahora, Fungisai Zvakavapano and Mai Charamba. On the same day, Shumba is also scheduled to perform at the launch of Agatha Murudzwa’s 18thalbum “The Sermon” at David Livingstone Primary School in Harare.
Mai Respina Patai, Trymore Bande, Baba Mechanic Manyeruke, Minister Michael Mahendere and Psalmist Lamondy Dube.
Additionally, he has two more engagements: a Radio Zimbabwe roadshow in Bocha and a church conference.
The biggest question among showbiz watchers is how Shumba will manage to fulfill all four events, leading Murudzwa and Moyo to doubt his availability, despite him recently sharing promotional videos for the events.
In an interview with Zimpapers Hub, Shumba acknowledged his concerns about his busy schedule after making multiple bookings.
“I am actually sweating over the issue at the moment, and I don’t even know how I am going to make it this weekend.
“I have a line-up of events between Harare and Mutare and only God knows better.
“I will try my best to attend them because, in gospel music, we believe in assisting each other,” he said.
With his professional commitments under scrutiny for the scheduling conflicts, Shumba added:
“I will try my best to be everywhere. If I am to attend, I will start with Harare for Argatha’s launch, then move to Dorcas Moyo’s launch, the Radio Zimbabwe roadshow, and of course, the church conference. I am ready to assist other musicians by attending their launches.”
Moyo has her concerns.
“At first, he asked us to make his face appear bigger on the poster, and he even specified terms to perform.
“I was the first to create a poster for my album launch featuring his picture, and I was shocked to realise he has a show in Harare on the same day.
“I have left everything to my manager because I am confused by his conduct.
“I don’t understand how he will fulfil all the booked shows on the same day.
“For your information, I treat him like a brother, and I don’t know how he manages his business.
“He is the only artist yet to collect his performance fee from me. My fear is that he might not attend, yet he is on the poster, and people will think we are using his image as a marketing strategy.”
Moyo reassured fans that preparations for her launch are on track.
“We have covered everything, and we want to make it a big musical extravaganza in Mutare,” she stated.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Murudzwa.
“We are geared for the Harare launch but the issue of Blessing Shumba has made it appear like I have bad blood with Dorcas Moyo, my sister from Mutare.
“When I booked him, he said he was comfortable with the arrangement and insisted he was coming to Harare.
“Blessing Shumba still maintains his availability and I am hopeful that he makes it on the day in question.
“Of course, he has other commitments on the same day but we are waiting to see how he will manage it.
“Preparations wise, everything is on course and we are ready for the day. That’s all I can say for now.”
