adminNkululeko Nkala
MAYBE let me start by introducing myself. I am definitely not the guy you are used to seing on the picture above. My name is Nkululeko Nkala I am standing in for Raisedon Baya who is out of the country for a few days. He is hoping I will be able to fill his big boots well, and maybe borrow a few of you to follow me to B-Metro where I run a similar platform on page 22 (clever poaching Nkue).
So last week Chronicle ran with the headline Chase Skuza jailed (a little dramatic after reading the story). It really had us in shock, even some of us that almost never buy the newspaper did rush for a copy. After all Chase is a music legend. Bravo to Chronicle for a headline that sells. It is alleged that Chase sold a house stand which had been sold to another person and received monies in the range of $2 900. The finality of the story is that Chase will pay back the money and do 280 hours of community service (phew, it could have been a lot worse).
In one of the Arts WhatsApp platforms that I am in, the issue raised a big debate as to whether Chase should be pitied or not. Some even wanted to help him with his community service. Some felt he had to pay the price as he admitted guilt. I honestly do not remember if any agreement was reached, I must have dosed off after hundreds of messages going back and forth on his being right and wrong.
Two points stood out for me though. One contributor mentioned that it could happen to anyone. Honestly looking at our economy and how people have had to bend a few rules to make ends meet. Most of us have definitely looked the other way or not followed the rules. Luckily we have not been caught. I am not saying I condone fraud or thieving but it’s ok to sympathise with Skuza. These are hard times.
The second one applies to most of us in the arts industry. We are just like Taxi or ET drivers, born off the same mother. Same behaviour all round and never taking anything serious. I remember a few months ago in one of my columns, I mentioned that I had just subscribed to a funeral policy. I must confess I have missed a few of my subscriptions and I am sure that Nyaradzo automated machine is getting tired of sending me reminder messages.
I am bringing this up because I know most of us in the industry do not think beyond the now. We do not think rules that apply to the normal do apply to us “radicals”. My point is we in the arts should learn to save for a rainy day. Save for studying, for lawyers, for medical bills and for our families. How many times have we heard that artiste so and so has passed on and it was a struggle at their wake?
So back to the Skuza issue, another contributor mentioned that instead of helping the likes of Skuza who if, he was being charged for stealing money to pay for instruments, we would have understood. We should help those artistes that are either not feeling well or simply struggling. Ah well, that’s life.
Honestly when all has been said and done, we can all struggle in a moment, or not be feeling well the next or even be arrested for fraud and other things we are not guilty of. Ask that Generations actress Akhona, Cyclone Ree or that model Mercy Kamanura. So what happened to Chase, can happen to anyone. Until next, be safe . . .
Online Reporter