WASHINGTON DC —
Chimurenga music guru Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo on Wednesday backed the country’s new constitution but urged authorities to use it to improve the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans.
He said the country’s supreme law should not be used selectively.
Speaking from Oregon, here in America shortly before leaving for London where he is expected to perform, Mapfumo said the government’s number one priority should be to root out corruption, which he noted is rife in the country, affecting efforts to revive the economy.
Mukanya, who promised fans in Zimbabwe that he will soon be back for a number of shows, bemoaned piracy saying many artists have been reduced to being destitutes as they fail to make money from their music.
“I don’t really know what we should do to eradicate this problem because it’s like a disease now ... Because musicians are being ripped off and there is no protection. This is something the world has to look at, especially governments. They have to protect musicians” he said.
Mapfumo said because of piracy, he is delaying the release of his latest CD titled “Danger Zone,” until there is evidence that something has been done to curb piracy.
A representative of Afrostars Family, who are organising the London shows, Tomson Chauke, told Studio 7 from his London base that preparations for Mukanya’s tour are at an advanced stage.
Chauke promised Mapfumo’s fans the best from the Chimurenga maestro.
“Mukanya will kick-start his tour with a show on Friday at The Coronet in Leicester followed by another show at Starlite De Venue in Chester on Saturday.
“On Sunday there will be a family day-out show at Chester Rugby Club in Slough before another family day out on Monday, where Nox Guni will be performing while Mukoma Thomas will be meeting and greeting his fans”, said Chauke.
Mapfumo will this time be performing alone, unlike in March when he teamed up with another Zimbabwean music star Oliver Mtukudzi when they invaded London.
He said the country’s supreme law should not be used selectively.
Speaking from Oregon, here in America shortly before leaving for London where he is expected to perform, Mapfumo said the government’s number one priority should be to root out corruption, which he noted is rife in the country, affecting efforts to revive the economy.
Mukanya, who promised fans in Zimbabwe that he will soon be back for a number of shows, bemoaned piracy saying many artists have been reduced to being destitutes as they fail to make money from their music.
“I don’t really know what we should do to eradicate this problem because it’s like a disease now ... Because musicians are being ripped off and there is no protection. This is something the world has to look at, especially governments. They have to protect musicians” he said.
Mapfumo said because of piracy, he is delaying the release of his latest CD titled “Danger Zone,” until there is evidence that something has been done to curb piracy.
A representative of Afrostars Family, who are organising the London shows, Tomson Chauke, told Studio 7 from his London base that preparations for Mukanya’s tour are at an advanced stage.
Chauke promised Mapfumo’s fans the best from the Chimurenga maestro.
“Mukanya will kick-start his tour with a show on Friday at The Coronet in Leicester followed by another show at Starlite De Venue in Chester on Saturday.
“On Sunday there will be a family day-out show at Chester Rugby Club in Slough before another family day out on Monday, where Nox Guni will be performing while Mukoma Thomas will be meeting and greeting his fans”, said Chauke.
Mapfumo will this time be performing alone, unlike in March when he teamed up with another Zimbabwean music star Oliver Mtukudzi when they invaded London.
