adminBrenda Phiri Entertainment Reporter
Sweden-based Zimbabwe Music Festival Bira founder Luckson “Manluckerz” Chikutu said he is not discouraged from continuing the festival despite a series of misfortunes that his team faced at their inaugural visit last year.
Manluckerz and his eight-member team from Sweden was involved in a tragic road accident that killed two members and critically injured some during the second edition of the bira.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Mawungira eNharira and Mbira Dzenharira show held at the Book Café on Friday, he said while the remaining members were still to fully recover they were looking forward to this year’s Zimfebi.
“Last year was a difficult time for all of us. While it was our second edition the other artistes were enthusiastic as it was their first visit. Traditional Swedish artistes Rolf Staflin is still partially paralysed while Ariana Catomens is still hospitalised. I still take pain killers for the head injuries and joint dislocations that I suffered at the time. The accident strengthened us to carry on with our cause,” said Manluckerz.
He said the support of fans and relatives who stuck with them from the time they were receiving treatment in Zimbabwe before being transferred from South Africa then Sweden last year showed the relevance of their festival.
However, Manluckerz is still morning the loss of his father who succumbed to stress in November last year due to the accident.
“Evil spirits will always seek to destroy when they sense things that are fruitful. But as always good prevail over evil. My hands are pure and because of that God stood with his people. Such incidents only slow like me down and do not stop us. We have come so far and if we back off now what will become of this successful cultural exchange?” he said.
Manluckerz said they had set aside August 1 2015 as the day this year’s festival was going to roar to life. They were now undergoing physiotherapy in preparation for the Zimfebi.
Manlukerz was at the Book Cafe in solidarity with Mawungira and Mbira DzeNharira who were in a joint show.
“We are engaging our partners for the bira. This year we are doing more workshops on how to professionalise their operations. Artiste management is a topical issue locally and while most artistes have managers, professionalism was still lacking.
“We are also engaging schools to promote the fusion of local and Swedish traditional instruments. Plans are also underway to involve other Scandinavian countries into the Zimfebi,” he said.
He thanked the Swedish Embassy, SOS insurance (Denmark) and the Swedish government for footing medical bills for the entire team after the accident.
Online Reporter