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Though musicians are held in high esteem the same cannot be said about the lives they lead.
Agreed, some have amassed wealth, bought mansions, private jets and all the entrapments of riches one can think of, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all affair.
Saturday Lifestyle this week visited a handful of lyricists, instrumentalists and composers who were lucky to be allocated stands at Hopley Farm in Harare, but their tale and stories are not sweet to the ear.
They got the stands from Harare City Council in 2007, but are struggling to put up structures, while the majority of those who have built something have not done so in a way that justifies their social standing.
Hopley is now home to at least 100 singers who were allocated stands there.
Among the beneficiaries are Wilson Mbale, popularly known as Mdhara Weeds, Biggie “Yellowman” Zhanje, Noel Zembe, Edias “Solo” Makore, James Nyamandi, Nicholas “Samaita” Zindi, Steve Dhibhura and Shame “Chibage” Mashonganyika, the erstwhile Muddy Face dancer, percussionist and backing vocalist.
Temporary structures
Freddy “Kapfupi” Manjalima, Hosiah Chipanga, Progress Chipfumo and Amos Mahendere are part of this crop of artistes.
Six years down the line, most musicians have failed to build temporary structures while others are now living in deplorable conditions.
Worse still, the area neither has running water nor electricity.
Kapfupi, who has vowed not to relocate from Epworth, has not developed his stand.
“The idea was mooted when we visited the late Cephas Mashakada when he was admitted in hospital. Though Mashakada had a house in Chitungwiza most of us did not. We approached the City of Harare through our representatives and were given stands free of charge,” said Mdhara Widz, who is credited with churning out the hit “Ruwizhi”.
All the musicians have title deeds to the stands.
Besides the cash they realise from shows, most musicians have nothing to show for their popularity.
Most of them go for months without staging a single show. Others have turned to vending to augment their meagre earnings.
Mdhara Weeds, who has gained popularity for his lead guitar prowess, sells maize-meal.
“Yellowman” Biggie Zhanje, a poet of note and singer of the old classic “Rudo Ndimandivhaidza”, is yet to build his house.
All he has on his stand is a heap of cracking cement blocks providing shelter for lizards.
“We don’t have music promoters in the country. We have opportunistic people who exploit musicians.
They don’t promote music but they ride on our popularity and fame. If one produces a hit that is when the so-called promoters come in. When the chips are down like in my case they forget that I exist,” lamented Zhanje.
The artistes said they were not getting enough money from royalties to afford decent homes.
James Nyamande, who fronts the Four Brothers, wished relevant authorities would provide the necessary infrastructure for them to rehearse.
“We have many musicians here, authorities should build a music academy here. We also want a place to rehearse. Some of us can’t afford bus fare to the city centre,” he said.
Investigations by Saturday Lifestyle showed that all is not rosy for most of the musicians. One family of nine is living in a two-roomed cottage.
James Nyamande is living a one room and is currently trying to build another room. When Saturday Lifestyle visited Nicholas Zindi’s home, his wife was busy cutting firewood.
“We do not have electricity here. Some of us have solar panels but the majority do not have,” said Zindi.
For all his fame and popularity, Solo Makore lives in a two-roomed house with his family.
Life is also proving not to be rosy for Noel Zembe. The “Ndaiwana Hama” hitmaker is surviving on selling airtime.
Judging by the conditions at Hopley Farm, there is no way one would live there unless they have hit hard times. It is a pity that the artistes have no option but to live in shacks
That is the ugly side of fame without fortune. Hopley Farm isn’t one of the best places to live more so for popular figures who are supposed to be earning from their fame.
Online Reporter