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Mpofu’s son takes after dad

Life & Style
When the late Paul Mpofu invited his son Bruce to man the entrance to one of his shows in 1992, he probably did not think the teenager would fall in love with his father’s profession. Mpofu had always discouraged Bruce from pursuing music when he grew up. He did not want him to follow in […]

When the late Paul Mpofu invited his son Bruce to man the entrance to one of his shows in 1992, he probably did not think the teenager would fall in love with his father’s profession.

Mpofu had always discouraged Bruce from pursuing music when he grew up. He did not want him to follow in his footsteps for his own reasons.

He simply thought getting Bruce’s hand at the gate would minimise income leakages because he no longer trusted his cash-handlers.

But from that day, Bruce felt he was part of his father’s band and he eventually joined him on stage. Mpofu could not resist because he had already initiated the young man into the arts industry.

“He had a show in our neighbourhood and he just said he wanted me to accompany him. When we got to the show, he told me that I was supposed to handle cash and that was my first day in my father’s profession,” said Bruce.

“He did not want me to be a musician and told me that I should pursue another ‘decent’ profession. “I think when he invited me to the band, he thought it was a temporary measure but that was the beginning of my music career.”

Bruce recalls that when they were playing at Saratoga Hotel at Machipisa Shopping Centre in Highfield, a backing vocalist bolted off the stage after a misunderstanding with his father and there was no option, but to get a quick replacement.

“My father called me to the stage and said I should do backing vocals. I had never practiced with him but I knew all his songs. It was my first time to be on stage and I was nervous. He encouraged me throughout the show and by the end of the gig, I was doing better.”

Since that day, Mpofu did not look for a replacement as Bruce automatically became part of the band. He was to later sharpen his music skills through learning to play drums.

He then became the group’s drummer and would double as a backing vocalist. He travelled with the group to most parts of the country and easily grew into a key band-member.

When his father died in 2000, Bruce did not immediately take over the band because of internal problems.

He got a job as a baker at a local shop and temporarily quit music. But memories of the good shows they had done and hearing his father’s songs like Murambinda, Mapepa Enyika and Ndakuvara Musoro motivated him to return to music.

In 2006 he regrouped with some members of his father’s Zambuko Band and a year later they recorded an album titled Mabasa Kuwanda but continuous squabbles with his record company kept the album in studio shelves until last year.

But Bruce did not look back as he started live shows with various musicians. He normally teams up with kanindo music star Moses Rwizi.

Most of their shows have been held around Harare.

The musician revealed that tonight he will be travelling to Kadoma where he will share the stage with music greats, Sulumani Chimbetu and Oliver Mtukudzi at Rimuka Stadium.

“It will be my first time to play at such a high-profile show and I can not wait for the day,” said Bruce early this week.

Tonight’s Rimuka Stadium show is meant to honour late musical heroes who include Bruce’s father and organisers have promised a memorable event.