VISUALLY-impaired street musician-cum guitarist Daniel Gonora said the removal of Webster Shamu as Information minister three years ago affected his musical career because it marked the end of his public performances.
BY WINSTONE ANTONIO
Gonora, a former member of sungura music group Jairos Jiri band told NewsDay that during Shamu’s tenure, he would be invited to perform at public galas and showcase his skills to many music lovers.
He was speaking on the sidelines of his performance at the Jam Session at City Sports Bar in the capital on Monday, where he formed part of the line up of musicians who took turns to entertain patrons at the show, courtesy of Devine Assignments.
At the concert, Gonora shared the stage with the likes of Simon Mutambi, dancehall musician Potato, Eriah and Biggie Tembo Junior, Sister Rudo, Andy Muridzo, Nyasha Mugari and Rich Mutodi.
“Music industry is not that rosy without the promoters. Promoters must consider the plight of disabled musicians and accord us platforms as we face a mammoth task when it comes to performing at live concerts,” he said.
“It was during Webster Shamu’s era in 2011 to 2013 that a sense of hope was restored for a blind musician like me and my band, as we managed to perform at national galas. However, that was the only time we performed on a big stage as they are no promoters who are willing to make us part of their concerts.”
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Gonora said promoters must recognise the disabled and some upcoming artists, who are yearning to make a breakthrough in the music industry and not look down upon them as just mere street musicians without a bright future.
“In this era of piracy artists need promotion of the music through live shows to be able to make a living and get something that can help us record our albums since resources are a major challenge we are facing at the moment to put products on the market for our fans.”
“Apart from proper instruments that we are in need of, guitars and amplifier that would help us come up with quality sounds, if I can get about $500 I will be able to release our latest six-track album titled Shoko Harivhikwi, which I believe will make waves on the market and raise something for us.”
He also urged fellow musicians to develop the spirit of helping each other, claiming he once approached popular artistes among them Alick Macheso and Tryson Chimbetu to be a curtain raiser, but nothing materialised, as the musicians snubbed him.
Gonora and his two sons, Promise, who plays the bass guitar and Isaac, a drummer got the jam-packed crowd on their feet with their spirited set, which included songs like Pfumo Mudenga and Muramu Haungadaro before turning over to cover versions for sungura maestro Alick Macheso much to the delight of the revellers.
Gonora’s name might not be familiar to many music followers, but the Waterfalls Extension-based singer, who started playing music on the streets in 2002 using an empty 20-litre container as a drum and a homemade tin guitar together with his two sons, have entertained thousands of people on the streets of Harare.
