SUNGURA ace Alick Macheso might have successfully dodged pirates eagerly awaiting the release of Tsoka Dzerwendo by availing the album at $1, but this has not stopped music dealers in Mutare from making a killing after they made a clean sweep of virtually all the copies on offer and are now re-selling them at $2.
BY CLAYTON MASEKESA
The Macheso fever has gripped the country’s music circles after the album’s release, following the hype created ahead of its official release.
A snap survey by NewsDay showed that many outlets in the border town were retailing the album at $2, although agents from the official dealers — Red Cross Zimbabwe and Jive Zimbabwe —were selling at $1.
Retailers had bought the album in bulk for re-sell at their various branches around town, according to one dealer, Marshal Matondo.
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“This is the time to make money. This is not piracy but it depends on one’s luck. I bought the CDs in bulk from the Red Cross dealers who were moving around selling. So I will resell it for $2 at my table at the flea market. The good thing is that people are rushing to buy it,” he said.
Dealers with conventional shops said they were also retailing Tsoka Dzerwendo at $2.
“I am a shop owner and I have a class of my customers who will buy this CD for $2. As we speak, I am left with very few copies to sell and I am now in the process of trying to get more supplies,” said Kenneth Mawire.
Others were selling the CD door-to-door and some from the boot of their cars.
For nearly four years, Macheso had not offered his fans a new project and his followers had been patiently waiting for the new release which they have overwhelmingly embraced.