Ditch Gukurahundi-syndrome, the destiny of Bulawayo Music lies in the Matabele

The 'Bulawayo Music Industry In Doldrums' article was originally published in the Daily News' website on the 30th of June 2011, written by the newspaper's own correspondent Jeffrey Muvundusi. Muvundusi points out some factors that have led to the collapse of the music industry in the City of Kings, Bulawayo.

Although I am largely in agreement with the author's views, what saddens me is that the article refers to the Gukurahundi and other issues that paint Matabeleland as victims. I believe that these problems are real and contrary to some impliying that the Matabele are just giving excuses it is quite hard to be a success.

Instead of being victims and giving up I would urge the people of Matabeleland to realise that yes it may take twice the stamina, money, resources and brains as that of someone in Mashonaland but it does not mean it's impossible.

So ditch the 'Gukurahundi-syndrome' because, let's face it, the youth of today were too young to remember the horrors of it. The under 30s are the bulk of the up and coming artists and the reason why they are struggling is simply because the industry went to sleep while on the job. South African artists and everybody else from elsewhere were allowed to flourish because it was simply easier and there was a lack of foresight.

What's left to do now is to pick yourselves up, move with the times and be prepared to work hard to promote your work. Success doesn't come without sweat and tears and that goes for anyone whether they are Beyonce or Jeys Marabini.

Let me not spoil Muvundusi's article and let you read for yourself, please post your comments after reading. At Bulawayo24 we believe the City of Kings is not dead but asleep, echo your voice, for it 'WILL WAKE UP' one day!.  

Bulawayo music industry in doldrums

While the City of Kings, Bulawayo has for years been known as a cultural pot, one aspect of its sector that has failed to rise is the music industry, Daily News Correspondent Jeffrey Muvundusi revealed on Thursday.

While other forms of art have managed to stand the taste of time, there hasn't been much to write about when it came to Bulawayo musicians.

The pre-independence era saw some big names in the music industry emerge from the city, placing the Matabeleland region on the national map but that trend has since died down.

While yesteryear stars from Bulawayo, who included Solomon Skuza, Ndux Malax, Fanyana Dube, Freedom Sengwayo and Lovemore Majayivana once put the region in the spotlight, recent years have been depressing.

Their departure either by relocating to other parts of the world or simply through death has left  a vacuum in the city's musical circles as well as a pale shadow of its former self.

Although initiatives and creativity have convincingly stood as part and parcel of Bulawayo's arts industry, what has become of its music has been a tale of depreciating standards since the demise of those gallant sons of the Royal city.

Gone are the days when the likes of Skuza, Malax and Sengwayo and the self-exiled Majayivana used to command a huge following wherever they conducted live shows.

Gone are the days also when Bulawayo music used to wrestle away spirited challenges from the likes of Harare-based musicians such as the late Leonard Dembo, John Chibadura, Jonah Moyo and Zexie Manatsa among other gurus.

Today the city's musical limelight seems to have suffered a major setback as the current crop of musicians has clearly failed to match its predecessors.

Although this trend apparently continues unabated, the matter has been received with mixed feelings by the artists from this part of the country.

Local musician and former leader of the now defunct all female band, Amakhosikazi, Priscilla Sithole attributed the collapse to the emergence of various genres of perishable music.

Sithole said: " Now where are the so called urban grooves, Kwaito and Hip Hop artists, their pieces of music is perishable, but talk of Ndux  Malax's song Namlanj'ukhombutsotsi, it is as good as new. This is a sign that yesteryear singers sang from deep down their hearts, hence their product was bold, appealing and long lasting ."

Literally, the City of kings has been flooded with a myriad of dance groups that rely on other people's music. Not to be outdone is the now deep seated trend of South African artists coming now and then to perform in the city.

Thompson Banda, leader of the Bulawayo Kwela Calabash Jazz band believed the fly-by-night musicians have posed a heavy blow to the musical fraternity as they have dismally failed to fill the void left by the departed musicians.

These fly-by-night artists are a huge disappointment. They have dismally failed.

Again, Bulawayo fans have all but themselves to blame; they don't appreciate their own music like what people in Harare and other towns do. They prefer to support South African artists at the expense of locals.

Yet musicians need to survive through their careers.

"It is not only being a good artist that makes one grow, but it is the support from the people. Look at Tongai Moyo and Alick Macheso; they both command huge followings in their place of origin," said Banda.

However, renowned playwright, Styx Mhlanga attributed the demise of local music to the city's unique but horrible history.

"People from this side were persecuted in such a way that many do not like being in town late in the evening because the wounds of Gukurahundi are still fresh in some minds. Soon after independence when other regions were enjoying the fruits of independence, people here were under some form of curfew.

In other words when the sun sets Bulawayo goes to sleep, whereas artists require audiences at their shows," said Mhlanga.

Upcoming dancehall artist, Ras Madosky took a swipe at the city fathers for having played a part in failing to support the city gain its musical limelight.

"The city fathers have always made it difficult for artists to survive considering that they have always put some stringent measures on night spots by giving them mid night deadlines to close shops when business starts to pick up," protested Ras Madosky.

He added: "Again the city council has not been found subsidising their numerous venues dotted around town, making it difficult for aspiring and even the established artists to pay for the venues."

Is it the people of Bulawayo are like the biblical Jews who refused their own saviour as it is said a prophet is not received in his home town?

Or is it the lack of the aggressive force in the market or fighting spirit to stand their ground. They have come to be known as supporting acts to South African artists let alone those from the capital?

Many local musicians have sought solace from the night clubs where there is limited exposure while those who had the guts to carry the tag of the city legends to another stage were now plying their trade in the unfashionable remote areas of Matabeleland.

But hats off to the king of Marabi music Jeys Majahawodwa Ndlovu as he has remained focused albeit with less support.

Talk of Mokis Connection, Chase Skuza, Obadiah Mathulana and Ndolwane Super Sounds among others.

Ironically the departed masters of song rose to stardom through the same genre.

Those who weathered the storm opted for the greener pastures and they include dub poet, Albert Nyathi, Edith Katiji and Dudu Manhenga and a lot more.