Concerts for freedom in Zimbabwe

On June 21 there will be another explosion of MAKE SOME NOISE! The Concert aims to raise awareness about the crisis in Zimbabwe and influence the South African public to put pressure on their government for a free and fair presidential run-off on June 27.

The Concert further hopes to challenge xenophobia by bringing Zimbabweans and South Africans together on one stage.

Their slogan is: “A better Zimbabwe means a better South Africa”. The event will culminate in hundreds of letters being sent to Thabo Mbeki demanding action in Zimbabwe.

There will be mini-concerts for Zimbabwean asylum seekers around Johannesburg and the main event will then take place at the House of Nsako, the city’s popular, new live music venue on June 21 from 19:00 until late. The event is expected to attract hundreds of students and will feature some of Zimbabwe and South Africa’s most explosive artists. From Zimbabwe there will be Comrade Fatso and Chabvondoka, Zimbabwe’s leading protest band. Comrade Fatso has performed his rebel poetry across the world and has built up a following in South African poetry circles.

He will be performing with his band Chabvondoka which is stirring up the dance floors of Harare. Their album has been banned by the Zimbabwean state but is receiving airplay now all over the world.

Herbie Dangerous is a Harare born hip hop/ragga MC, whose fast paced hip-hop/dancehall rhythms are a unique trademark.

The event will also be graced by three other Zimbabwean poets: Outspoken, a conscious hip hop voice in the Zimbabwe poetry scene. Godobori, a powerful poet who chants revolutionary Shona poetry, and, Linda Gabriel, a member of the new generation of slam poets in Harare.

From eMzansi, the anti-apartheid veteran Pops Mohamed will lead the pack, sharing the stage with the industrious Kwani Experience.

DJ Bionic will be supplying wicked beats for Herbie Dangerous; Steadyrock!, the rap master supreme; Lesego Rampolokeng and DJ Kenzhero will all add their weights to this revolutionary cause.

Your hosts for the evening will be Aviwe and Godobori.

 See the MAGAMBA! website: www.myspace.com/magamba

Tuku amazes SA audience

CAPE TOWN

PULLOUT: Live and let live

Oliver Mtukudzi and Sam Mataure performed June 7 at the Benefit Concert in Cape Town, a function aimed at raising funds for the victims of the recent xenophobic attacks which left thousands displaced.  Tuku spoke backstage about his hopes and love for his home country. When asked why he still resides in Zimbabwe he responded, well, there’s no place like home.’ The Benefit Concert attracted a full-house and the audience was thrilled when Tuku walked onstage; almost more so than in response to any of the other performers.

 I draw inspiration from the people, and I give it back to them. The main umbrella that covers whatever issue I talk about in every song of mine is self- discipline, which is to respect the next person…I value Life. To live and let live, that’s my motto,’ he said.

Asked for his opinion on the recent xenophobic attacks which rocked South African society, Tuku responded, Well, like I always say in my music, life is no life when you don’t share it.  And fighting is not the solution. We might have our differences, but the best way to solve them is to sit down and talk. Fighting and killing will always leave the problem there.’

I believe in God and I think that God created one world for all of us. We’re meant to share this world together in harmony, and I think that with our prayers, God will help us realise this,’ Tuku concluded.  

Chase Skuza sells brother’s instruments

HARARE

BY FOLOSI KANDABA

Chase Skuza, brother to the late War Veteran Solomon Skuza, was born with a silver teaspoon between his lips. One does not need any Solomonic wisdom to discover that his brother put Chase head and shoulders above the musicians in the country. After inheriting the perfectly done Banolila, he also managed to work with Tukuye and they have released albums such as UMakhumalo (2004), Sebevumelene (2005) and Abalalanga (2006.)

However, Benias Gent, also known as Jambanja, who once had a stint with Chase as a session artist, told The Zimbabwean that Chase sold speakers, an amplifier and a bass guitar to a certain guy in Silobela, and this has left him a ‘beggar’ in musical circles.

“Chase sold some of his musical equipment and he is now hiring from Obadiah Mathulane,” Jambanja said.

“I do use instruments from other artists such as Obadiah Mathulane, Black Umfolisi and Jeys Marabini. Actually we help each other as artists and I can say the Black Umfolisi guys are my home boys from Plumtree so we are in good books,” Chase said in his defence.

 Jambanja also claimed to have severed his relationship with Chase owing to his alleged dishonesty. “He does not pay, he chooses to forget that some of us have families to feed. He did not make it known to me how much I was working for and he just gave me whatever amount he thought of giving me,” the bitter Jambanja said.

 Theatre in the park

BY FOLOSI KANDABA

Theatre in the Park’s pre-election presidential serving is Alex Magaisa’s heart wrenching, haunting and refreshing “Teeth”.

Magaisa, a keen writer on matters pertaining to the law and politics, has put his thoughts to paper in a different way. He has scripted a remarkable piece of art, which will hopefully be performed for many years to come.  Simply entitled “Teeth”, the play tells of the impact of violence and torture that has befallen African soil. It depicts how violence dehumanises both the perpetrator and the victim, and the individual’s relentless pursuit of African humanism (hunhu/ubuntu) – “I am because you are – everything is written by the same Hand.

The three characters in the play are simply referred to as X, Y, and Z.  Zenzo Nyathi, Blessing Hungwe and Tafadzwa Muzondo are cast in these roles respectively.

 X and Y are brought together by fate as victims of violent acts, trying to make sense of their situation. Z is the author of violence, haunted by his violent past. Daves Guzha is the director and producer, Eugene Marillier is responsible for the set design and Mada Nepiyala is in charge of the lighting.

The Habana Sax group in full swing

Live Latin jazz from Cuba!

HARARE

HabanaSax – a 5-piece Cuban jazz band featuring four incredible saxophones and one astonishing percussionist, are pit-stopping in Harare as part of a worldwide tour.

Harare music-lovers are in for a great treat with a single performance by the group at The Mannenberg Jazz Club.

The website www.myspace.com/habanasax reveals that the group is: “An outstanding mix of classical and contemporary music expressions like jazz and funk, hip-hop and rap with traditional Cuban music, especially Afro-Cuban rhythms.”  

The band is brought to Zimbabwe by Alliance Francaise who strongly promotes culture throughout the world by working with artists of diverse origins.  

Jazz has a fascinating history in Zimbabwe. Since the 1960s Zimbabwe has made notable contributions to jazz development in Africa. Louis Armstrong visited in November 1960 and later produced the second version of the song “Skokiaan.” Since then, Zimbabwe has a continuous record of jazz development, from such luminaries as Dorothy Masuku, drummer Jethro Shasha and guitarist Louis Mhlanga who achieved international acclaim years ago, to fine young jazz artists now emerging onto the world stage such as Sam Mataure, Prudence Katomene-Mbofana, Dudu Manhenga and Miriam Mandipira, and the many musicians who work with them.  Their Zimbabwean touch greatly influences the genre loosely termed ‘afro jazz’ in the world.

The Jazz Appreciation Society at The Mannenberg is a Pamberi Trust project supported by the W.K.Kellogg Foundation, designed to stimulate knowledge and interest in jazz, and to forge links with international jazz.   

In February 2008, The Mannenberg hosted the Ryan Cohan Quartet from Chicago, courtesy of the US Public Affairs Section, which also currently offers weekly free screenings at The Mannenberg of the fascinating 10-part video documentary series ‘Jazz’ by Ken Burns, with an 8-part series on the Blues to follow.

Zimbabwean people have embraced many genres of music from around the world with a special love for the rhumba and popular ‘kwasakwasa’ styles of West Africa, and will definitely embrace the music of Cuba.  We are wildly excited about this unique opportunity and warmly welcome Habana Sax to our country, and our stage,” Pamberi Trust project officer Penny Yon said.

 Advance tickets are available from the Alliance Francaise and The Mannenberg/Book Café office.  Tickets are limited and Jazz-lovers are advised to get in early.

TUESDAY JUNE 17, 6.30pm prompt

The Mannenberg Jazz Club, Fife Ave, Harare

www.zimbabwearts.co.zw