Alick Macheso pens divorce song

Sungura musician Alick Macheso appears to draw inspiration from his personal life after he penned a song that hints at his divorce to estranged wife Tafadzwa Mapako.

He sings: "Ndakakubvisa kubva muhuruva nhasi wava kudya pizza asi wondidadira . . . ndakakutadzirei?" He performed the song three times emphasising how he probably used to take care of Tafadzwa.

Hundreds of fans who attended the show at Pick and Save Superette in Mutare were left wondering whether it was just a song or talking about what was happening in his life.

The Orchestra Mberikwazvo leader also received thunderous applause from revellers when he sampled the late Tongai Moyo's love song "Kapuka Kanonzi Rudo", putting emphasis on the lyrics: "Rudo kana rwonaka vanoshevedzera, maiwee ndanakirwa, asi kana chabvondoka vanoshevedzera, maiwe ndabaiwa pamoyo pangu."

The collapse of his four-year marriage could be his inspiration as he spent the better part of his performance dancing and singing songs related to the issue.

Macheso gave an emotional performance of the song "Zvipo" stressing that there was no-one who will destroy his career except God.

But surprisingly, he did not perform the song "Tafadzwa" which he penned at the height of his affair to the estranged wife Tafadzwa. So popular was the song that Macheso would rarely skip it at his gigs.

Show promoter Esau Mupfumi was pleased with the performance which was the biggest in terms of crowd since the joint opened in 2012.

"Macheso has performed here since we converted this place into an entertainment place, but today he has defied the odds," said Mupfumi.

A lot of people were milling outside the venue in anticipation of a price slash since they could not afford the US$5 cover charge.

A Mozambican-based businessman Peterson Junior presented the musician with a suit and uniforms for the whole band much to the delight of the fans.

"The musician brings entertainment to a whole new dimension and it has always been my dream to show how much we appreciate him.

"We are from Mozambique but we always make an effort to drive to Mutare because we do not want to miss his shows," he said.

Macheso could not hide his joy as he thanked the businessmen before playing the hit song "Charakupa".

"As a band we are really humbled that there is so much appreciation of what we do and I want to thank you all for the gesture, as it is you who keep us going," he said.

Kumbirai Vamunorwa a fan said, "I wanted to see if he was able to give his usual performance again because these reports are meant to bring him down."

Another fan, Mavis Maungwe said she thought Macheso would be subdued.