MUSICIANS and their compositions played a vital role during Zimbabwe’s liberation war, greatly influencing its outcome.
Their lyrics inspired and spurred the masses and guerillas to achieving independence in 1980.
Thirty-six years after Zimbabwe gained independence, a new breed of musicians are doing the same, to entertain the majority of Zimbabweans through different genres of music.
Before Zimbabwe gained its independence in 1980, musicians fought through their art, persuading, strengthening and encouraging people to continue the struggle.
Popular Zimbabwean musicians like Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi, Thomas Mapfumo, Chinx Chingaira and Zex Manatsa led the struggle on the music front.
Before independence, local musicians were among the most critical, highlighting and commenting on the injustices that prevailed.
The Rhodesians tried to intimidate and silence the musicians, but they failed.
They were incapacitated by their failure to fully grasp the nuances of the lyrics.
For instance they could not understand that ‘Tsvimbo dzemoto’ sung by Biggie Tembo (post independence musician), meant guns.
The legendary Mtukudzi sang his heart out for people who protested against the Ian Smith regime. He did not cower in the face of the Rhodesians’ intimidation.
On his website, the iconic musician said threats and the numerous forms of suppression were not enough to stop musicians from protesting.
“Before independence it was the fight against the Rhodesian regime,” said Mtukudzi.
“My music was against oppression and a repressive regime and how we were suffering at the hands of that regime (Smith).”
Under Wagon Wheels band, songs like ‘Dzandimomotera’ were about hope, encouraging the black majority not to give up.
‘Dzandimomotera’ in fact is a prayer of a troubled man.
Through clever use of language, Tuku subtly attacked the Rhodesians.
Thomas ‘Mukanya’ Mapfumo is another musician who fought through the medium of music.
He vigorously urged the sons and daughters of Zimbabwe to leave their homes and fight the Rhodesians for independence.
Throughout the Rhodesian era, musicians played ‘cat and mouse’ games with the colonial government.
Mukanya did not ‘retreat’ or stop composing songs that angered the Rhodesians, but gave hope and encouraged the black majority.
His lyrics reflected the concerns of the people, their aspirations and hopes.
He provided information on the hardships being faced by the black majority in the rural areas and the dedication of young men and women fighting in the bushes.
‘Zimbabwe Yevatema’, ‘Ndinofarira Zimbabwe’, ‘Vanhu Vatema’, ‘Tumira Vana Kuhondo’ and ‘Pemberai’ are some of the songs that celebrated black majority’s power.
Mapfumo’s music was food for the souls of the black majority who desperately wanted freedom.
In 1979, the dreadlocked musician was briefly jailed and the Rhodesians tried to manipulate the artiste to denounce the war.
The coming of independence on April 18 1980 brought change in Zimbabwe’s music industry.
It all began in 1980 when the late Bob Marley visited Zimbabwe to perform at Zimbabwe’s Independence Day celebrations.
Since then, music has been used to spice up independence celebrations.
People from both rural and urban areas celebrate the attainment of independence in different styles but the common denominator has always been music.
It might be a primary school choir, a mbira ensemble or a professional musician, the fact remains that music brings joy and happiness to the people of Zimbabwe.
Independence also saw the birth of music legends like Leonard Dembo and John Chibadura while the late James Chimombe, Marshall Munhumumwe and Solomon Skuza were already veterans before independence.
It is now 36 years since Zimbabwe gained its independence and both adults and youths are enjoying music being composed by various artistes.
It might be music reflecting on the liberation struggle or about social issues affecting Zimbabweans, but music still plays a very important role in people’s lives.
It was music that helped freedom fighters educate the masses about the objectives of the liberation struggle when they sang: “Vanamai vanonetswa nemabhunu, vanovhunzwa vana varipiko; sendekera mukoma Chakanyuka; mhinduro yavo inotendera kutaura havamborevi ave comrade sendekera mukoma Chakanyuka…”