Headstrong Utakataka Express heir Peter Moyo took his moot leadership qualities to new lows in the early hours of yesterday morning when he cut his set short during the Leonard Zhakata album launch at the Harare International Conference Centre.
By Kennedy Nyavaya
Less than 30 minutes into his performance, the Young Igwe could not take any more of the technical glitches as he left the stage despite braving a subdued crowd which had gone virtually silent upon his entrance on stage.
Thrown into what seemed like a deep end slot after Sulumani Chimbetu and Zhakata, the late Tongai Moyo’s 26-year-old successor evidently failed to withstand the pressure.
Although it is unclear what caused the microphones’ failure, the young Moyo alleged it was “intentional sabotage” motivated by his brilliance on stage.
“These machines were being tampered with, wait and see how they will start performing normally after my exit,” he alleged without any substantiation of his claims.
“I am the one who recorded these songs so if I cannot hear what I am singing, it is not right, I could not hear the rhythm and lead guitars as well as monitors which were silent.”
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Moyo has been embroiled in scandalous behaviour ever since he took the reins at the Kwekwe-based band after his father’s death.
Now doubling as Yadah FC player, his reign at Utakataka Express has been muddled by mismanagement and turbulence that has affected the once popular brand.
Apart from Moyo, Sulumani and Alick Macheso did not disappoint as they left fans satisfied with their performances on the night.
Meanwhile, Zhakata’s album launch attracted a fair attendance and although poorly organised, it reincarnated his old days of glory, if reactions from the mature crowd were anything to go by.
“This is too big a venue for us. From 1987 and way back we never booked this venue for ourselves as a band, so it is our first time and it is a big venue,” said Zhakata after the show.
He commended the organisers and supporting artists for the effort.
“The support from the other artists was excellent and everything has just gone beyond our expectations. We are just happy and you can see for yourself that I am struggling to find words because of joy,” he said.
Zhakata sampled two songs from his eight-track album titled Mutunga Dzese. He also mesmerised fans with old hits like Batai Mazwi and Hupenyu Mutoro.
The first copy of the singer’s 21st album was bought for $2 000 by a local businessman, only identified as one of the Bedza brothers who paid for it in cash, amid applause from patrons.
The album, which carries songs Zvine Mwaka, Tsvimbo Dzehumambo and Mutunga Dzese, among others, sold like hot cakes on the day of the launch.
Yesterday the Zora music ace took to the streets to sell more CDs.
