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Brenda Phiri Entertainment Reporter
Chimurenga music legend Dr Thomas Mapfumo is making frantic efforts to meet President Mugabe on his return home early this year after yet another failed attempt last year.Speaking through his manager Austin Sibanda, Dr Mapfumo who has been living in self-imposed exile in the United States for more than 10 years said he had plans of meeting President Mugabe during the visit.
The meeting that is being brokered by South African-based businessman and music promoter James “Jimmy Jimalo” MacAdams is expected to create a platform for a positive engagement with the President.
“Mapfumo has always been outspoken about issues that affect the people as a voice of the people. The people are tired and it is time to unite and build our country. We need unity within the Government itself and politicians ought to lead by example,” said Sibanda.
However, critics say it boggles the mind why Dr Mapfumo would want an audience with President Mugabe when in fact, he should meet Commissioner General of Police Augustine Chihuri over his alleged pending cases. Others say that it could be Dr Mapfumo’s way of extending his stay in the US.
According to Sibanda, Dr Mapfumo was now concerned about development instead of working towards self-enrichment and he urged politicians to curb corruption, poverty and unemployment that was rife among Zimbabweans.
He said that upon meeting President Mugabe, Mukanya, as Dr Mapfumo is affectionately known by his legion of fans, had plans of raising topical issues like that of piracy, a disease he said was crippling the local music industry.
“Mukanya is concerned about the plight of musicians who are putting a lot of resources into their work, only to have their music pirated in the streets for a dollar. Music has always been important as it played a crucial role in liberating our country. It is disheartening how musicians are not reaping the fruits of their hard work,” he said
Sibanda said the upcoming trip was also going to be an opportunity to promote Mukanya’s 12-track album “Danger Zone” that is set for release at the end of this month.
While the album has had “reviews”, Sibanda said only singles; “Hatidi Politics” and “Shabeen”, the remix, had been released to the public.
“The album is now ready and it is one of the best productions from Mukanya. We are still making arrangements for South African shows with Jimmy Jimalo but if the situation permits there might also be shows in Zimbabwe. The Danger Zone Tour has Mukanya travelling with his entire band but there is a possible reunion with the old band members that are currently in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Jimmy Jimalo expressed optimism on the upcoming meeting with the President saying it was a positive one that was aimed at “looking forward”.
“These two are great men and their coming together to resolve their differences sets a good example to fellow countrymen. That is what we do in our culture; sitting down as a family and mapping a way forward despite our differences. At the end of the day, we are Zimbabweans and it is up to us to revive our country,” said the Kwekwe-born businessman.
Although he could not be drawn into revealing further details about the trip he said everything was in place.
MacAdams, who has hosted the music guru several times in South Africa, said he wanted to bring Chimurenga music to the people.
He said he was looking for opportunities to arrange shows in different parts of the country.
Online Reporter