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Mapfumo under pressure over Chivayo's US$1.5 million offer
2 hrs ago |
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Legendary Chimurenga musician Thomas Mapfumo is reportedly facing growing pressure from relatives, friends and close associates to accept a US$1.5 million performance offer from businessman Sir Wicknell Chivayo, a prominent supporter of the ruling Zanu PF party.
Chivayo, who has become known for making high-profile cash and vehicle donations to musicians and other public figures, announced the offer while wishing musician Jah Prayzah a happy 39th birthday.
He pledged to pay Mapfumo US$1.5 million to perform at Jah Prayzah's anticipated wedding in August as well as at his own birthday celebrations.
The proposal has sparked widespread public debate, with videos circulating on social media showing people close to the 81-year-old musician, including his nephew Kurai Makore, urging him to accept what they describe as a fitting reward for his contribution to Zimbabwean music.
Former Mapfumo manager and publicist Blessing Vava has also publicly encouraged the veteran musician to consider the offer.
"As for Mukanya, I believe he should accept Wicknell Chivayo's offer if he is indeed invited to perform," Vava wrote on Facebook.
"Whether one agrees with Chivayo or not, this appears to be an appreciation of Thomas Mapfumo's immense contribution to Zimbabwean music."
Vava's comments prompted criticism from some social media users, who questioned whether his position was consistent with his long-standing record as a human rights activist and government critic.
Mapfumo, popularly known as Mukanya, has not publicly commented on the offer.
Widely regarded as one of Zimbabwe's most influential musicians, Mapfumo has spent more than five decades using his music to comment on political and social issues.
During the liberation struggle, his Chimurenga music became closely associated with the nationalist movement, leading to his detention by the Rhodesian government in 1979.
Following independence, he continued using his music to criticise corruption, poor governance and authoritarianism under the late former President Robert Mugabe.
Songs such as Corruption, Disaster and Mamvemve established him as one of the government's most outspoken musical critics and contributed to his decision to relocate to the United States in 2000, where he has lived for much of the past two decades.
Mapfumo has continued to criticise the government under President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Supporters of Chivayo's offer argue that the veteran musician deserves financial recognition after a lifetime of shaping Zimbabwe's musical heritage.
Others, however, contend that accepting such an offer from a businessman closely associated with the ruling establishment could carry significant political symbolism and potentially undermine the fiercely independent image that has defined Mapfumo's career.
For now, the US$1.5 million offer remains unanswered, with Zimbabweans continuing to debate whether one of the country's most enduring voices of protest should accept the invitation.
Chivayo, who has become known for making high-profile cash and vehicle donations to musicians and other public figures, announced the offer while wishing musician Jah Prayzah a happy 39th birthday.
He pledged to pay Mapfumo US$1.5 million to perform at Jah Prayzah's anticipated wedding in August as well as at his own birthday celebrations.
The proposal has sparked widespread public debate, with videos circulating on social media showing people close to the 81-year-old musician, including his nephew Kurai Makore, urging him to accept what they describe as a fitting reward for his contribution to Zimbabwean music.
Former Mapfumo manager and publicist Blessing Vava has also publicly encouraged the veteran musician to consider the offer.
"As for Mukanya, I believe he should accept Wicknell Chivayo's offer if he is indeed invited to perform," Vava wrote on Facebook.
"Whether one agrees with Chivayo or not, this appears to be an appreciation of Thomas Mapfumo's immense contribution to Zimbabwean music."
Vava's comments prompted criticism from some social media users, who questioned whether his position was consistent with his long-standing record as a human rights activist and government critic.
Widely regarded as one of Zimbabwe's most influential musicians, Mapfumo has spent more than five decades using his music to comment on political and social issues.
During the liberation struggle, his Chimurenga music became closely associated with the nationalist movement, leading to his detention by the Rhodesian government in 1979.
Following independence, he continued using his music to criticise corruption, poor governance and authoritarianism under the late former President Robert Mugabe.
Songs such as Corruption, Disaster and Mamvemve established him as one of the government's most outspoken musical critics and contributed to his decision to relocate to the United States in 2000, where he has lived for much of the past two decades.
Mapfumo has continued to criticise the government under President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Supporters of Chivayo's offer argue that the veteran musician deserves financial recognition after a lifetime of shaping Zimbabwe's musical heritage.
Others, however, contend that accepting such an offer from a businessman closely associated with the ruling establishment could carry significant political symbolism and potentially undermine the fiercely independent image that has defined Mapfumo's career.
For now, the US$1.5 million offer remains unanswered, with Zimbabweans continuing to debate whether one of the country's most enduring voices of protest should accept the invitation.
Source - The Standard
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