Online Reporter
Clemence Marijeni in BIRMINGHAM
IT was a night pregnant with emotion as Chimurenga music guru Thomas Mapfumo waved goodbye to his fans in the United Kingdom at the New Bingley Hall in Birmingham on Saturday.
The soldout farewell concert, which attracted a full house of 3,000 fans, attracted a mixture of the old and new generations and was more than just a musical show.
It was a closing chapter of a life’s work that helped shape not only Zimbabwean music but also its cultural and political story, in a way.
At 80 years-old, Mukanya may not carry the same energy and vibe of his youth but he gave a performance that was both powerful and moving.
Unlike many artists of his age, he did not take to the stage seated or with frequent breaks.
Instead, he stood throughout, delivering his classics, one after the other, with dignity, determination and clear pride in his craft.
That display of stamina alone spoke volumes about his commitment to his art and his refusal to bow to the limitations of age.
The crowd danced and sang along to his beloved hits from years gone by.
The songs carried memories of joy, struggle and national identity for many Zimbabweans.
From the Chimurenga classics that once served as a soundtrack to liberation movements to later songs that reflected everyday life, the palylist was a journey through history.
These included the classics — “Nyoka Musango”, “Gwindingwi Rine Shumba” and “Tongosienda,” among others.
However, what particularly made the evening special was not the music, but the occasion itself.
This was the last time fans would see Mapfumo performing on stage in the UK, a moment both celebratory and bittersweet.
For the older fans, it certainly must have been a nostalgic reminder of their youth, when Mapfumo’s music echoed across townships and villages.
For the younger generations in the crowd, it was a chance to witness living history before it fades into memory.
A poignant moment, in which some fans wiped tears off their drenched cheeks, was when he appeared for the very last time expressing his heartfelt gratitude for their relentless support over the past six decades.
He then gave them one last moment to mingle at close range and the tearful fans queued for a handshake and selfies.
His close family members were also part of the crowd which also included football legends Benjani Mwaruwari, Stewart Murisa, Memory Mucherahowa, Maxwell Dube, Liberty Masunda, Timothy Chirozvani, Mlungisi Ndebele and Musareka Jenitala.
The supporting acts did not disappoint, too.
Selmor Mtukudzi, Tocky Vibes, Lindsay Chamangurangura and Mafumo’s heir apparent Kurai Makore all delivered performances worthy of a fitting chapter to the historic moment that followed.
Mapfumo’s nephew Makore, reminded the fans that his uncle’s legacy will still be well and alive, with a flawless act of his own.
He then joined his mentor on the stage later on to add more zest to the performance of “Nyoka Musango” and sent the crowd into raptures.
Mapfumo’s performance might have lacked the raw, tireless energy of his younger days but a different kind of strength still shone through — one of endurance and longevity.
Mapfumo joins a select group of elder statesmen of music who defied age.
American blues legend B B King was still performing into his late 80s. Jazz great Tony Bennett sang well into his 90s, famously sharing the stage with Lady Gaga in his final years.
The late classical pianist Menahem Pressler was performing at 90. In the wider context of musical history, Mapfumo’s farewell stands proudly alongside such feats of artistic resilience.
That he chose Birmingham as the site of his farewell is also significant.
The city has long been home to a vibrant Zimbabwean Diaspora community.
As the last notes faded, and the crowd applauded, it was clear that this was more than the end of a concert.
It was the end of an era.
daniel chigunwe