BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA
LOCAL top arts promoters led by Music Associations and Arts Promoters in Zimbabwe chairperson Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza yesterday came to the rescue of nine Marondera-based musicians by donating foodstuffs to them.
The outbreak of COVID-19 in March last year has left many musicians living in abject poverty and struggling to survive as physical gatherings for live concerts have remained banned as part of a raft of measures to curb the spread of the deadly virus.
While other sectors have been opened, the showbiz sector has remained closed, turning most artistes into basket cases, with some resorting to gold panning to earn a living.
Musicians who benefited are sungura singer Josphat Somanje, Donovan Makuzo, Auntie Salanje, Luke Williams, Major Nyambaru, Felix Jones, Blessings Chihwai, Pride Mteliso and Kudzaishe Mutigwa.
Chipaz said it was the duty of promoters across the country to bail out musicians when facing challenges.
“We are not promoters when you are not here. Government cannot do it alone, but we need to chip in and assist our musicians. We appeal to all music promoters out there to come forward and make sure that we put a smile to our fellow comrades,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the artistes, Somanje hailed the promoters for the donations.
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“As musicians, during this COVID-19 era, we are in a deep pit, where no one can get out. We are happy that our promoters have us at heart, hence this assistance,” he said.
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) Mashonaland East provincial programmes officer Chido Erengwi said: “As NACZ, we applaud the promoters for their generosity to assist these artistes during these COVID-19 times. We pray that a number of musicians will benefit from such a programme.”
Among the promoters who graced the event were Macdonald Kachingwe and Marondera-based Simbarashe Chatima.
Most artistes have been reduced to beggars and are now turning to government for assistance as their plight worsens.
They await a day government will reopen the showbiz sector.
In a bid to stave off poverty, a number of local artistes, among them urban groover Trevor Dongo, comedienne Felistas “Mai Titi” Murata and Zimdancehall singers Freeman (born Sylvester Chizanga), Holy Ten (Mukudzei Chitsama) and Jah Signal (Nicodemus Mutize) have been flocking to South Africa for live performances.
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