adminAuxilia Katongomara Saturday Leisure Correspondent
FRIDAY 11 October 2013 is a day that jailed songstress Dudu Manhenga and her fans would not easily forget. It is the day that the Bulawayo born songbird was sentenced to an effective 18 months in prison for culpable homicide and driving with a learner’s licence without supervision. The sentence received mixed feelings with some arguing that it was too harsh while others felt it was too lenient.
Her prison sentence came as a shock to many who were left wondering as to what happens to her career that she built over the years.
Life in the cells has never been rosy for anyone, let alone for mothers of young children.
Dudu is jailed at Chikurubi Maximum Prison where she is awaiting High Court ruling on her appeal for bail.
Reports say she was still trying to come to terms with the reality of her situation and was isolating herself.
For the past week, debate on Dudu’s sentence has been raging on social networks and in kombis. For musicians, imprisonment is a test that can either catapult one to fame or mark his or her downfall.
Many believe Dudu’s case was a litmus test for the judiciary which had to either confirm that noone is above the law or exercise lenience to a law abiding celebrity like Dudu. It is equally a litmust test for Manhenga who has to brave prison life and face the world again after 18 months behind bars.
However, arts guru Cont Mhlanga who is among the people who mentored the jazz star believes it was God’s will.
“God has a way all the time, her issue is simply classified as an accident. It is something she had not planned but that is fate. The Lord wants to prepare her for bigger responsibilities. It is a calling from God, he wants her to inspire and change people in the prison. Dudu does not need the prison but the prison needs her,” said Mhlanga.
He narrated how he met Dudu when she was in Form One at St Columbus where she showed her interest in music and never looked back.
“It is unfortunate that her teachers, Handsome Mabhiza and Maxwell Mhlanga who taught her jazz are late. They knew her better and would have provided the necessary support. She will definitely pull through this because she is a strong character. She has always been clear about her vision hence she chose jazz music from back then and stuck to it,” said Mhlanga who said Dudu was prayerful woman.
During the liberation struggle various politicians were incarcerated but remained focused on their dreams.
There are other celebrities who have been imprisoned at the height of their careers but managed to pick up pieces after jail and continued with their careers.
There has been an outpouring of sympathy from across the country for Dudu prompting Saturday Leisure speak to one prison officer so he could shed light on what takes place in prison.
“Prison life has changed from what it used to be. Most people believe that inmates are beaten or spend time being harassed but that is not true. In fact, prisons are rehabilitation centres. Inmates are grouped according to talents and taught life skills such as undertaking vocational courses. We have imbube groups, sporting teams, among other groups from prisons like Khami,” explained the officer who refused to be named for professional reasons.
Manhenga joins the list of local musicians such as the late Simon “Chopper” Chimbetu who served a four-year jail term from 1990 to 1994. Chopper was not deterred by the imprisonment as he shot to greater heights after serving his sentence. His album Pachipamwe heralded his return and it was one of his best selling albums.
Another talented musician and composer, the late, Paul Matavire also was convicted and sentenced to four years in prison for rape although he served an effective one year.
Upon release Matavire released an album with the song, entitled Back from College, which was a recapitulation of his prison experiences.
The late mbira queen, Mbuya Madhuve was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison for swindling a Harare businesswoman of $200 million after masquerading as a traditional healer and seeking money to import British mermaids by plane, put them up in a luxury hotel and communicate with them by cellphone.
Many artistes across the globe have found themselves on the wrong side of the law and just in the neighbouring South Africa names of musicians such as Freddy “Amadamara” Gwala and Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye quickly come to mind. Gwala spent eight years in jail for car theft, before turning his misfortune into a financial fortune by singing about his experiences in jail.
Jub Jub was sentenced to 25 years in prison for murder, attempted murder and other charges after a drug-fuelled race in April 2011 left four teenage pedestrians dead.
American stars are not to be left out as a bunch of them have tasted prison life and these include former Fugees member, Lauryn Hill who this year served a three- month jail sentence after she pleaded guilty to tax evasion.
Beanie Man, Akon, Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg are some of the artistes that have served jail terms.
Online Reporter