The Sunday News
Nyasha Majoni in Redcliff
IN various countries, octogenarians are naturally expected to be sitting home, enjoying retirement in the comfort of their homes, away from the daily hassles but 83-year-old Redcliff-based musician, Dzikamai Dzimbiri says he wants to keep performing until he clocks a remarkable 100 years.
With a music career which started in Darwendale in 1952, it is paradoxical that Dzimbiri only has two albums to his belt after having recently released his latest offering, ‘‘Mufudzi Wangu’’. In diametric contrast to societal expectations, Dzimbiri — known as SaMtoko in showbiz circles — boldly claims that he is still fit to hold musical shows, even at 83. The energy he claims to have is vivid in his 10-track album which has potential hits such as ‘‘Chii Chati Gwengwendere’’ and the title track, ‘‘Mufudzi Wangu’’.
“I do not think there is anything which will stop me from performing. I want to keep on strumming the guitar and belting out good music until I reach a hundred years. If God continues to bless me with the gift of life, I will keep on singing and I do not see anything stopping me from doing this as long as I am alive. I am still fit and feeling young — as young as you are,” said Dzimbiri with a trademark chuckle.
The other songs to look out for on the latest album include ‘‘Ndinogara NeMatambudziko’’, ‘‘Ndakamutswa Nengoma’’, ‘‘Shamwari Yangu Yakanaka’’ and ‘‘Indebvu Chete’’.
Dzimbiri’s first album, ‘‘KwaMutoko’’ was released in 2010. The veteran artiste who holds legendary crooner Zex Manatsa in high esteem said the country’s music industry has been infiltrated by fly-by-night musicians who hardly posses the much required artistic talent. He said the artistes are doing a big let down to music as an art. He also said music should not be taken as a money-spinning venture adding that the artistes must be driven by the love and the passion for music.
“During our days, you could not just become a musician just like that. You would need a lot of effort and discipline to achieve this. We now have these young people calling themselves musicians but if you get the chance to listen to their songs, you really wonder if they deserve to be called musicians,” he said.
