Chronicle Editor
Mthabisi Tshuma, Showbiz Reporter
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” This is what outspoken poet Dr Gasolo is doing after his eagerly awaited 190km walkathon commenced successfully yesterday morning from his rural village in Matshetsheni, Gwanda North.
Born Prince Mazilankatha, Dr Gasolo is one rare artiste who has proven that success is no accident. It is through hard work, perseverance, learning, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing.
When it all started, many thought that the artist who is always clad in “umqhele” was losing his senses as he earmarked to do what has not been done, publicly.
Every journey to success requires one to do what’s necessary, possible and suddenly, do what’s impossible.
The prominent artist from Matabeleland South informed his fans and the public of the journey and did what was possible through a tutorial of the journey when he successfully embarked on a rehearsal walk from Bulawayo to Esigodini and back.
On Thursday, it was time for him to do the impossible as he embarked on a mission to walk from Matshetsheni to Bulawayo via Gwanda town.
Through the walk dubbed, “The long walk to success”, Dr Gasolo is on a quest to raise awareness of the need to support local acts through securing sponsorship for their works and hosting gigs. This comes as a number of artistes from the region have failed to make it in the arts industry due to a number of challenges, chief among them being a lack of funding and resources.
Saturday Leisure caught up with Dr Gasolo on Thursday morning as he set out to fulfil his dream. He sounded optimistic about a fruitful journey.
“I’m set to start my journey at 10 am and along the way, I’ll be making stops where I’ll be interacting with villagers, mostly on the creative sector,” he said.
Soon after reaching Gwanda town, Dr Gasolo told this publication that the first lap of the journey was a success as he was treated like a king and celebrity in his home area.
“It was amazing. I never thought it was going to be this big. When I left home, my mom cooked a roadrunner for me to eat on the way. This is something that she had never done. Even when I was still at school, I don’t remember her preparing me lunch as I used to do it myself. This showed how big this mission is.
“When I got to Tiwi turn, which is about 17 kilometres from my home, I found a lot of people waiting for me there. It was a lovely experience and I felt like a celebrity for the first time in my life,” he said.
Dr Gasolo said the crowd was a mix of the younger and older generation who gave him moral support before he performed some of his poems.
“I spent about an hour with them and I performed a few poems. When I was about to leave, they gave me refreshments and some walked with me for about five kilometres. Some joined along the way for a few kilometres too.
“I was also approached by some parents at Tiwi telling me about their children’s talents so I’ll be going back there soon to start an arts group,” said Dr Gasolo.
Upon reaching the tarred road at Matshetsheni turnoff, Dr Gasolo was given a befitting welcome by Gwanda creatives and representatives from Government.
“When I got to the main road, I found Drivo of TIME Project of Gwanda, Zhezhingtons (King of Tribal House), Sithokozile Sibanda (Creatives Magazine) and Promise Dube (from the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation) there and they welcomed me with warm hands.
“We then walked together for seven kilometres to Gwanda town where we had a photo session with Gwanda Magazine at their studio. I then spent the night at Drivo’s house where the hospitality was amazing and I felt like I was at a five-star hotel,” he said.
Dr Gasolo left Gwanda town yesterday morning at around 6am where he was scheduled to sleep at Esigodini. – @mthabisi_mthire
Online Reporter