Zhakata’s star rises again

This follows his recent spirited performances at various venues. He has been invited to perform at national events like the Heroes and Independence galas, having been previously shunned by the organisers, who felt that his musical messages were politically incorrect.

Zhakata believes his loyal fans have played a pivotal role in keeping him on his feet. “At one time there was a blackout on my music and I thought of quitting, but the loyal fans who understood my music gave me the courage to continue,” said the affable Zhakata in an exclusive interview with The Zimbabwean last weekend on the sidelines of a sold out show at Pavilion Leisure Centre.

“Some sections of the media pushed me out of music after they had wrongly interpreted my messages. It is sad that some viewed me as a sell-out. I am happy that people are now beginning to recognise that I am just an artist who wants to share the social ills with his people. If I do not sing for them then who will?” asked Zhakata.

The gifted Mugove hit-maker added that he had never run short of ideas. “Past is past and it was just a sad phase. Now we are focusing on a new path. I want people to know that I sing about what happens in our society. As a group we are going to work hard so that the fans out there recognise us again,” added Zhakata.

He opened up and said he missed his cousin and colleague – Thomas Makion.

Zhakata dominated the musical scene from 1994 with the release of Maruva Enyika and his best track Mugove, which was voted song of the year on Radio 2’s top 50 and video of the year at ZTV. The song also won the NAMA and TSAMA outstanding song of the year award. In 1995 his hit song song Unochemei was again voted number one on Radio2’s top 50. In 1996 he released Nzombe Huru with award winning songs Hupenyu Mutoro, Kundiso and Batai Mazwi. The album sold 100,000 copies in three months.

Things started falling apart in 2000 with the release of Hodho (Toy Gun,) an album that was viewed as politically incorrect. Other albums that followed were also blacklisted, including Mubikira, Udza Vamwe and Tine Vimbo.

Zhakata is currently enjoying support with the album Gotwe released last year, which is receiving much airplay and has been marked as a stepping stone on his journey back to the stars.