Chipfumo speaks out, decries mobility

Forward Nyanyiwa in CARLOW, Ireland

H-Metro Europe Correspondent

Lanky, talented guitarist and lyricist Progress Chipfumo has denied reports that he abandoned ship and left his Sounds of the Motherland members on dire times but has opened up on a painful and traumatic period he has been experiencing on his road to recovery as he has been under weather with a nagging knee injury.

The affable Chipfumo, a seasoned performer in Zimbabwe’s musical trenches acknowledged that while it is true that he left Zimbabwe late last year, he wasn’t going for merry making as widely reported.

He argues that, unlike some people who quickly share their troubles with the public or their fans, he has chosen to remain the proverbial crocodile he sang about in the yesteryear — that is shying away from the public space and ‘breathe’ underwater.

“Do l look like a coward who abandons ship midway?” Chipfumo said.

“Do l also look like a selfish person who is self-centred?” he asked again.

“I have been unwell since last year and l sneaked out of Zimbabwe and went underground here in England to attend to my physical welfare. I suffered what seemed like a freak injury last year when l stepped on the cables and fell on stage on the day l released my latest album Hope,” Chipfumo succinctly explained.

The lanky crooner revealed that all appeared normal after that awkward fall of which his knee knocked onto something on the stage. He said the circumstances on the night were so hectic that he foolishly ignored the pain that preceded in order to finish his act.

“My knee banged on something as l fought to break a fall on that night and l felt some pain but l did not bother to attend to it since I wanted to finish the album release program.”

Sadly, Chipfumo had to learn about the severity of the injury the following days when an X-ray report showed that he had teared tendons and injured his knee cap. It was to be a hell of throbbing and piercing pains that grounded him and forced the band from fulfilling their booked shows.

The expensive charges he got when he consulted the Orthopaedic surgeons frightened him to the point of opting to seek remedy in the United Kingdom (UK).

“Ndairwadziwa wangu, (I was in pain my friend). I could barely walk, the pain was unbearable and l could cry all day. I visited some doctors but the money they were charging was way above my reach.

“We had to cancel booked shows, l could barely walk, let alone stand to perform. I collapsed more than twice on stage during the time. The world crumbled around me. That is when l decided to seek help here in England. I didn’t ditch my colleagues,” Chipfumo explained with a touching tone.

Chipfumo successfully had his surgery last Friday and is thankful to God and family who has been his pillar of strength during one of his darkest moments.

“I had a successful operation last Friday and I want to thank my family and the Almighty God for being my strength during this difficult period. I still have subsequents Out-Patients appointments before l am fully recovered and I am taking it one step at a time.

Proggy, as he is fondly known by his legion of fans said he feels for his comrades back home and his heart bleeds that he can’t be there with them to perform and sustain their families.

“My heart bleeds, l don’t want to talk about it because it makes me emotional. My band members are my family. They have been there for me for long, we have gone through trying times together, we have suffered together, we have fought together, we have enjoyed together and we have been brother’s keepers.

“I can’t jump ship now, it’s unheard of, it just can’t, those who know us understand what l am talking about. I am praying to return home and we do our craft together again. I have been even sending the little l get from friends here. They are family.”

Chipfumo said he was hopeful that with the help of well wishers, he would be back on his feet and get back to make life normal again. His major worry is mobility and how he would move around the country to fulfil his shows. Chipfumo is arguably one of the unsung musical heroes of our generation who cut his musical teeth from Hohodza band led by Portia Gwanzura back in the 90s. He has seven albums to his name, and he remains a cultured and humble musician like an enigma he is.

His catalogue of albums, includes “Progress Report” (2000), “Let Them Know” (2002), “Ndinovatenda Nei” (2004), “Tsiurika” (2007), “Hold My Hand” (2013), “Progress Check” (2017) and “Hope” (released last year).