CHIMURENGA music legend Thomas Mapfumo longs for home after his decade-long stay in the United States.
BY TAPIWA ZIVIRA in Johannesburg Speaking exclusively to NewsDay soon after his arrival in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Tuesday, Mapfumo disclosed he had plans to come to Zimbabwe because he had the country at heart.
Mukanya said he was so passionate about Zimbabwe that he continued to practice Zimbabwean culture even in the US.
“I have my country and fans at heart, and I will never forget my country, and I assure you I am planning to come to Zimbabwe,” he said.
Mukanya, however, said he could not reveal when he would visit his homeland and would make announcements once the plans were finalised.
The last time Mapfumo was in Zimbabwe was in 2004.
He said he had received numerous calls from his fans starved of his live performances to come and stage a show in Zimbabwe.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“Yes, people call me and ask me when I am coming to Zimbabwe. My message to all my fans there is that I am coming, I have not abandoned my country. I will never do that,” he said.
Turning to the future of music in Zimbabwe, Mukanya — a sworn traditionalist — had no kind words for the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture and the National Arts Council whom he said were not doing enough to promote Zimbabwean traditional music and culture.
“They are not doing enough to keep the young generation recognising the role of our culture and traditional music,” he said, adding that while times and dynamics changed, there was need for preservation of local tradition.
“If you go to other countries like the DRC [Democratic Republic of Congo], they prioritise their local music like rhumba ahead of that from other cultures, that is how it should be,” he said.
Mapfumo is in South Africa for two shows, one in Johannesburg at the Baseline in Newtown tomorrow and the other in Cape Town at The Good Hope the following day.
The Chimurenga music icon will also mix and mingle with his countrymen in South Africa ahead of the shows.
His publicist Blessing Vava said Mukanya will tomorrow afternoon share his views on the social, political and economic issues bedevilling Zimbabwe during the interactions.
“These are the issues he has been singing about since the time of the liberation struggle,” Vava said, adding that the Chimurenga guru wanted to see young upcoming Zimbabwean musicians prosper.
He has roped in some ZimDancehall musicians who will share the stage with him, including Garry B, Lady Squanda, Freeman, Kinnah and Jay C.
