Thomas Mapfumo wants to meet President Mugabe

United States-based singer Dr Thomas Mapfumo says he wants to meet President Mugabe over the rampant piracy that has destroyed the creative industry in Zimbabwe.

Speaking in an interview over the weekend with African Radio Show 88,5FM hosted by Zimbabwean DJ and musician Tinos "Slicey T" Viriri in Canada, Dr Mapfumo said it was high time the highest office in the land intervened.

"Ini ndandichida kutoonawo kana kubvunzawo iye President kuti ko makamboonawo munyika munotengeswa music ipi yevanhu dollar? Tatadza kukunda piracy zvirikumbofamba sei? . . .Vana ndopavangavatotiwo isusu ndopatakupona napo . . . kuti ukomboze music hazvingouya from the blue, unechipo chawakatopihwa naMwari. Zvino pachipo chako ichocho kana zvaakuti vanhu vakungotora music mahara hazvichanakidza, hazvingadaroka vakomana. Vakauyawo avo vakuoona music fanika chinhu chisina basa rese," Dr Mapfumo said.

Turning to Zimbabwean music, Dr Mapfumo who is affectionately known as Mukanya, reiterated that young musicians should be proud of their culture and not be influenced by other cultures.

"I think from the youngsters that are doing music right now, Jah Prayzah is doing great.  Suluman is carrying forward from where his father left," he said.

However, he said upcoming musicians who copy from other cultures like the Jamaicans or the Americans should equal or do better than them.

"Of course, it is their choice to sing Zim dancehall but to be honest the Jamaicans laugh at us because they say we are copying them. So, if they are going to sing Zim dancehall, they should do it better than the Jamaicans not this thing of singing Zim dancehall in Shona.

"Musicians like Lucky Dube sang reggae and he did it well because he also sang in English.  So when you think of doing music like the Americans, do it like Akon who successfully made his name by singing American music," he said.

Asked about his relationship with Oliver Mtukudzi, Mukanya said they were the best of friends.

"NaOliver tiri shamwari chaidzo. Kana tichidya sadza tinotaura nyaya dzechidiki. Ko? Ihondo here nhayi takagara tichiridza tese," Mukanya said.

DJ Slicey T of Slice International recently launched the first African Radio Show in Canada that broadcasts every Sunday 12-1pm (8pm Zimbabwean time) on cjsr.streamon.fm also accessed online or tune in App or 88.5FM for those in Canada.

Some of the featured artistes on the show include the likes of Oliver Mtukudzi, Nox Guni, Bojo Mujo, Biblos, Selmour Mtukudzi and comedian Uncle Ritchie.

The show is aimed at giving African artistes exposure.

The show also gives updates to Zimbabweans and African community living in Canada on the trends across the African continent ranging from entertainment, sports, social events and politics.