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Of musicians and prophetic songs

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IN times like these when Zimbabweans are still smarting from the stunning revelations of the senseless looting and gluttonous feasting on public funds by heads of parastatals and the country’s diplomatic tiff with Western countries, many positively identify with songs whose messages resonate with the current situation.
While most of these songs were sung many years ago, largely inspired by events during those periods, they speak of today’s situations, today’s people, their trials and tribulations, and their suffering.
Names like the legendary Leonard ‘Musorowenyoka’ Dembo, Leonard ‘Karikoga’ Zhakata, the late Simon Chimbetu and Paul Matavire, to mention but a few, fit into this bill of musicians whose songs carried messages that came to pass.
Dembo’s song ‘Chinyemu’ taken off his chart topping album Chitekete that was released in 1991 is one such offering that has stood the test of time.
That the song that was sung some two decades ago appeals to today’s situation of workers who have been cheated and milked to the last cent by greedy officials speaks of both the brilliance and the genius that Dembo was.
‘Chinyemu’ hits out at the system that rewards those that earn and take more than those who have little or nothing despite the fact that it is the poor who would have brought revenue to their various institutions.
This is surely one song that retired PSMAS boss, Cuthbert Dube and suspended ZBC chief executive officer, Happison Muchechetere will curse when it is played on air.
“Kupai kune chinyemu zvakawanda kune vasina kuzvishandira ini mushandi muchinditorera?” Dembo emotionally asks in the song.
It is often said a musician’s orientation is usually shaped by their experiences as human beings.
This could be true of the great Zhakata, a fitter and turner by profession and whose 1994 smash hit ‘Mugove’, from the album Maruva Enyika, which lamented abuse of power by those appointed to serve the interests of the people.
At the age of 26, Zhakata became the youngest Zimbabwean musician to sell more than 100 000 copies of an album that touched the hearts and lives of many workers.
In ‘Mugove’, Zhakata asks for his share so that he takes care of his family and mother.
“Vakuruwee ndipeiwo kamukana kaye ndinyeverewo vaye vaye, vakawana mukana wekukwirapo pamusoro, vakaite mhanza yekukwirapo pamusoro, vakuchitora mukana uyu sehuchenjeri, votanga kutsikirira varipasi,” sings Zhakata in ‘Mugove’.
It was the Land Reform Programme that gave birth to Zimbabwe’s problems with the West.
Simon Chimbetu in his hit song, ‘Zuva Raenda’ from his the extremely successful album Survival that was released in 1997 laments the delay in redistributing the land to the black masses.
“Mukoma govaika govaika mukoma wee govai minda,” sings Chimbetu.
True to his word, in 2000, Government launched the revolutionary Land Reform Programme which benefitted thousands of previously landless Zimbabweans.
In 1999, ‘Chopper’ as Chimbetu was affectionately known, had raised a pertinent question which would come to pass at the turn of the millennium.
The song ‘Ndima’, taken off his top-selling album, African Panorama Chapter 2, talks of the behaviour of whites in independent Zimbabwe.
Chimbetu laments the fact that whites have not changed their pre-independence attitude towards blacks.
“KuBudiriro kwedu kwatinogara havauye, paChitungwiza pamusha pevanhu havagari,” says Chopper.
“Zvamaiti vachachinja hee zvaramba, zvamaiti vachasanduka hee zvaramba.”
True to Chopper’s words, whites came in their numbers at the launch of the MDC on September 11 1999.
Their support for the MDC and desperate push for the return of their beloved Rhodesia has since that time never been a secret.
Their push, with the help of their kith and kin in Western capitals, has brought several economic challenges for Zimbabwe.
Controversial musician, Hosea Chipanga takes pride of place in this league of prophetic musicians.
His songs like ‘Hove Dzemugungwa’ which he sang in 1992 says much about what is happening today.
It talks of inequalities created by greed and avarice. This is despite President Robert Mugabe’s push for equal distribution of the country’s resources.
The poetic lyrics of these artistes’ songs are cleverly crafted full of deep-rooted meaning which many may have failed to grasp when they were released.
Our collective suffering as a nation is aptly captured in some of these songs that were released many years ago.
With the mushrooming of so-called prophets, perhaps we have to turn our attentions to musicians for genuine prophecies.
Let those with ears listen.

1 COMMENT

  1. We need more articles like this! I am a 1999 child and things like this were never spoken of. Our history curriculum surely needs updating. Thank you Golden Guvamatanga

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