Online Reporter
Prince Mushawevato
Society Editor
THOMAS “Mukanya” Mapfumo has held two memorable homecoming biras — in 2004 and 2018 — since his self-imposed exile at the turn of the millennium.
In 2004, fans and music enthusiasts thronged the event, as the musician had signalled earlier that he might never return home alive, for reasons best known to himself.
In 2018, the then-72-year-old Mapfumo’s “Homecoming Bira” was once again oversubscribed.
By that time, the singer had spent 14 years without setting foot on Zimbabwean soil.
While he frequently travelled to South Africa for scheduled performances, he strictly avoided crossing the border to visit his motherland.
During that long absence, he even missed the burials of several close relatives, having boldly maintained that he could not travel back home safely.
The 2018 show, featuring a blockbuster line-up of the late Dr Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi, Winky D and Suluman Chimbetu, remains a gig for the ages.
It was a rare moment where generations collided; the grey-haired were drawn by the pull of nostalgia, while the youth arrived eager to witness for themselves the artistry of the man they had only heard of in stories.
The Lion of Zimbabwe, as he is affectionately referred to by his die-hard fans, did not disappoint. He delivered hits that left the crowd spellbound. His pulsating performance effectively silenced critics who had questioned whether he still had the stamina, given his advanced age at the time.
Leading up to that historic night, Mukanya’s management team was meticulous about his public image.
They were wary of even a minor stagger or a moment of frailty, as they were determined to create an impression of a legend who remained undiminished by time.
Now, eight years later, the legend returns for one last monumental event — his farewell to the live stage.
Having already concluded similar “goodbye” performances in England and South Africa, the 80-year-old maestro is ready to close the circle on home soil.
“I am coming home for my goodbyes,” the singer shared in a recent promotional video. “This is my last show in Zimbabwe while I am still alive. However, retirement does not mean the music stops; I will continue to be involved in the craft, but the era of live gigs has come to an end.”
As the April date approaches, a single question lingers: Can he still deliver the vintage performance of years past?
Many wonder if time has finally dulled the edges and worn away the predatory instinct of the “Lion”.
These concerns are fuelled by recent videos that have circulated online, showing the octogenarian struggling with his footing.
However, Mukanya has a history of defying the biological clock.
In 2018, though he appeared to struggle with his gait behind the scenes, the moment he stepped onto the stage, he was transformed.
Rejuvenated and seemingly possessed by youthful stamina, he became a different man altogether. His management even struggled to pull him off the stage, as he insisted on playing until 7am.
Mukanya has never been one to be intimidated by high expectations.
His confidence is anchored in a formidable discography that can command any crowd, anywhere.
“It was a challenge getting him off the stage,” said a then-member of his management after the gig.
There is clearly something mystical about the month of April for the “Manhungetunge” singer.
It is the month that has hosted all of his major homecoming gigs since the turn of the millennium.
For Thomas Mapfumo, music is not a job; it is a divine mandate.
“Ndakabva nazvo kure izvi and tichiri kungozviita. Chipo changu ichi (I have come a long way with this, and I am still at it. This is my calling),” he told this writer.
He emphasises that this farewell is not just for his peers, but for the youth.
He wishes for the younger generation to witness the stagecraft that made him a global icon and to understand the vital importance of preserving culture through sound.
As the curtain begins to fall for the man affectionately known as Hurricane Hugo or Gandanga, there is a collective hope that his wizardry — the intricate guitars, the haunting mbira, the driving congas and those unmistakable vocals — will echo long after the final note is played.
So far, Mapfumo’s nephew, Kurai Makore, has performed wonders on the local circuit.
His talent is undeniable and his future in the music industry looks exceptionally bright.
However, the true test of his artistry lies ahead.
The industry is a marathon, not a sprint.
Only time will tell if Makore possesses the sheer stamina and mental fortitude to endure the distance, much like Mapfumo himself, who has commanded global stages for over six decades.
