The Sunday News
Vincent Gono Magazine Editor
SUNGURA kingpin Alick Macheso who for the better part of the year hogged the limelight with a fair share of controversies that may have dented his ego may want to prove to his Bulawayo fans that he is still his former self when he takes to the stage at the Amphitheatre on 12 December in his first show of the year in the city.His well timed show is expected to walk Bulawayo’s fun lovers into the deeper ends of the festive season where people spend their hard earned money with reckless abandon and it will also give his fans the chance to sample some of the tracks from his coming album.
Some of the tracks are said to be commentaries of what happened to him during the course of the year.
He will be joined by drummer Obert Gomba who deserted him some time ago to form the struggling Extra Kwazvose with other former members of Orchestra Mberikwazvo including chanter and dancer Jonas Kasamba, Noel Nyazanda and Thomas Dosinto.
Confirming the Bulawayo show, promoter Isau Hondora said the sungura ace would be seeking to affirm his presence as a giant in the music industry of the country.
“He will be performing at the Amphitheatre on 12 December. It will be his first show in Bulawayo this year and people should expect nothing but the best. He will prove to his legion of fans in the city that he is still on top of his game. The show will definitely plunge the people of Bulawayo into the festive season in style,” said Hondora.
He added that Macheso shows in Bulawayo have never disappointed as the musician commands a huge fan base in the city.
The sungura ace’s publicist William Tsandukwa also confirmed the show. He said the musician could not perform in the city for the better part of the year because the venue (Amphitheatre) was always said to be fully booked. As a result, he said, they always ended their shows in Gweru and would not proceed to Bulawayo.
“We had long wanted to come to Bulawayo but each time we plan on that our traditional venue the Amphitheatre was said to be fully booked. This was supposed to be our fourth visit had it not been for the failure to secure a venue but we ended three of our shows in Gweru and could not proceed to Bulawayo.
“We have not forgotten our fans there. We are coming for them and we are ready for the gig,” he said.
The sungura musician has nine albums under his belt although the last offering Kwatakabva Mitunhu was not much of a hit compared to his other albums. He is therefore likely going to release his tenth album which is largely expected to spell his Lazarus moment and redeem his lost lustre.
Tsandukwa said the five former members who deserted Macheso were always coming to some of the shows where they were always given their previous slots to play although they have not yet negotiated their way into the band.
“They are always coming and we cannot chase them. They are a part of the family because they were nurtured by Orchestra Mberikwazvo. So when they come they play. We have not, however, formally re-admitted any of them. We have had the five coming to our previous shows — Jonas Kasamba, Noel Nyazanda, Obert Gomba, Francis ‘Slomo’ Dhaka and Thomas Dosinto who was the first drummer when the group was formed,” he said.
Tsandukwa added that he was not sure who was going to come for the Bulawayo show as they were just doing that on their own accord without necessarily being invited.
“I wouldn’t say they are going to be romped in. We have not yet got to that stage but the fact that we let them perform at our gigs shows that we hold no grudges with any of them. After all they were not expelled,” said Tsandukwa. He said fans should expect the usual energetic performance from Macheso whose guitar strumming skills have left many in wonder, while his footwork is sizzling and a marvel to watch.
Macheso was this year stalked by controversy after his relationship with second wife Fortunate Tafadzwa Mapako went sour and divorce proceeding were followed with zeal by the media after the musician called for paternity tests to be done on the kids he sired with Mapako.
He finally won the downward variation of maintenance last Wednesday in a court battle that ensued.
As if that was not enough his daughter Sharon’s marital woes have been worsening with each passing day.
