Chronicle Editor
Maria Chiguvari, Harare Bureau
Iconic Jamaican roots-reggae legend Winston “Burning Spear” Rodney touched down in Harare yesterday ahead of his first-ever performance in Zimbabwe.
The 79-year-old reggae icon is set to take the stage at the Glamis Arena tomorrow as part of his ongoing One People Tour Africa.
At a press conference held last night, his management addressed the media on his behalf, citing fatigue after a long flight. They conveyed Burning Spear’s gratitude for the warm reception from local fans and shared the excitement surrounding his Grammy-nominated album No Destroyer.
“The new album is nominated for the Grammy Awards, and we feel a lot of love as the song ‘Mommy’, which is also on the album, is trending globally,” said a representative.
“Burning Spear has a deep love for Africa, and this tour reflects that connection.”
A powerful line-up of local artistes, including Cello Culture, Transit Crew, Emmanuel “Mannex” Motsi, Killer T, Merciless, MC Fydale, Judgement Yard, Banso Da MC, and songbird Feli Nandi, will share the stage with the reggae legend.
Following his Harare show, Burning Spear will head to South Africa, where he will perform at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg on Saturday, before concluding his tour at Mhudi Wines Farm in Cape Town on Sunday.
With this tour, Burning Spear joins a prestigious list of Jamaican acts who have graced Zimbabwe’s stages, including Morgan Heritage, Capleton, Buju Banton, Luciano, Sizzla Kalonji, Mavado, Elephant Man, and Beenie Man, among others.
Born Winston Rodney on March 1, 1945, in Saint Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, Burning Spear has been a leading figure in reggae music since the 1960s. Known for advocating black empowerment, some of his iconic hits include “Marcus Garvey,” “African Teacher,” “Cry Blood,” “Open the Gate,” and “Chant Down Babylon.”
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