You will not escape this comparison young man, especially in this era when you are singing those same songs with the same band in front of the very same fans. Everyone will measure your performance against Tongai’s.
Your father — Igwe, Samanyemba, Murozvi Mukuru, Dhewa, Father Flower, Founder of Strategy — he loved to decorate himself with nicknames but that was not just for fun, he meant business.
Many tried to emulate him while others attempted to undermine him but that did not take away the charisma, flamboyance and confidence with which your father carried himself. You may easily inherit names Dhewa and Murozvi Mukuru by virtue of the totem but you have to work for the others. Tongai set the bar too high for most of his contemporaries.
Confidence was his strength and as he raised the bar higher and higher every year, he did not intend to set it for his own son, his own blood. He was a man, he had to fight in this jungle called music industry where others have died trying while others have fallen from dizzy heights and yet others are living lavishly from the guitar and microphone.
He had to fend for you, Peter, and the rest of the family and I believe that is why he died fighting his health condition bravely. He could have handed the reins to you a long time ago but I believe he knew that the bar he had set was too high for you.
I can imagine his feeling as he lay in his hospital bed with utter conviction that his time was nigh. He should have thought of you and the precedence that he had set, he should have hated himself (for the first time) for attaining so many accolades and those flying colours.
That very moment he should have wondered why he had dissuaded you from following his footsteps. I am sure he had to leave all to hope. Hope that you would be your own man and fight as quickly as possible to come within his range musically. Hope that you had clandestinely followed his career and knew most of his career secrets and tricks on stage.
My word to you young brother is that you realise the height that you have to scale and dedicate every moment of your life – at least for now – to this daunting task before you.
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This is a strong challenge and I want you to take it as it is. I do not wish to provoke you but I just feel obliged to give you a word. On stage, Peter, your father was very active but at Mushandirapamwe I realised that you would at time just stand and watch the band or the crowd.
Shiga Shiga and Spencer Khumulani are band members and you are the leader. They should not steal the show from you. Take charge young man. It is not too early because you are already doing shows and people are judging you. Very soon their sympathy will fade away and they will look at you as a man who should stand against any other musician in the industry.
Your voice young man, I know it is difficult to have a smooth voice like your father’s but there are vocal lessons and you can perfect your voice with time. But it has to be quick young man.
The festive season is just around the corner and that is your busiest time. You have to catch up.Learn to play the lead guitar and inherit your father’s skill to convince your fans that you are the right heir. Your father did all tricks with the guitar and it was his fighting weapon.
He was one of the best lead guitarists and you have to chase that record. Your difference from Sulumani Chimbetu is that he had a year to perfect his skills in the shadow of his uncle Allan. But it seems there is no one in the band to cushion you in your learning time. You are exposed and you have to cover yourself. You have to work extra hard.
I know in terms of presenting yourself, you do not have a problem. I noticed these smartness traits and you have that smile that was your father’s magic. You can do it young man. Just work hard for now. Remember, the bar is very high.See you at your next show in Harare.
By Godwin Muzari
