UNITED States-based Zimbabwean Chimurenga music guru, Thomas Mapfumo, says he is planning a groundbreaking homecoming gig to be held in Harare in August next year to mark the end of his 12-year self-imposed exile.
BY SILENCE CHARUMBIRA
Mapfumo, popularly known in the showbiz circles as Mukanya, told NewsDay in a telephone interview from South Africa where he is scheduled to hold two shows this weekend that he was missing home.
“We are trying to sort out the issue,” Mukanya said before referring all questions regarding his homecoming programme to his manager Austin Sibanda.
Mukanya, however, expressed concern over the poverty levels in Zimbabwe and the increased number of citizens fleeing the country to seek greener pastures in the Diaspora.
“I want to wish people a great holiday this Christmas, but I also want them to know that we are with them in their sorrows,” he said.
“If we put our heads together, we will win this war. We do not have to fight. We must unite and we will succeed. We see lots of people running from poverty back in Zimbabwe, but we want them to prosper and enjoy peace, freedom of movement and freedom of speech,” said Mapfumo, who was billed to perform at Baseline in Johannesburg last night and CTICC Marimba in Cape Town today.
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Sibanda said there was renewed hope that Mukanya would make his first appearance in Zimbabwe in August 2016 after 12 years in self-imposed exile.
“We are definitely coming home this coming year. We are working with some show promoters so that we plan the logistics well which includes the flights and other monies,” Sibanda said.
“However, even if that fails to succeed, as Chimurenga Music Company we are also working hard to make sure we make the trip to Zimbabwe.”
Sibanda scoffed at reports that Mukanya was afraid of coming back to Zimbabwe to face possible arrest and prosecution for past crimes.
“We have read about that in the newspapers, but you know people always say all kinds of things. Some would want to sell their papers and make money, which is not a problem,” Sibanda said.
“Mudhara [old man] wants to come home and he is always saying it.”
