The announcement that Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo is headed for Zimbabwe was met with mixed feelings. Some fans were ecstatic while others doubted the information while some dismissed it as utter rubbish because they are convinced that Mukanya will not come home anytime soon.Drumbeat with Godwin Muzari There are various theories as to why the chimurenga legend may not come back in the foreseeable future. Some say there are political boundaries barring Mukanya from stepping back in his motherland while others suggest criminally-aligned obstacles. Mukanya last performed in the country in early 2004 and there have been numerous promises for his return, which makes most people skeptical of any announcement of his intended homecoming. While businessman Philip Chiyangwa assured music fans that Mukanya was certainly coming and the musician’s manager confirmed a deal for a homecoming show was underway, people still have that outstanding question: Is Mapfumo really coming?
The talented musician has been away for almost nine years and the closest he has come for performances is South Africa. People are also asking: What has changed that will make Mapfumo reconsider his stance?
Following recent media reports that the musician claims that he will not perform on home soil because such an act is tantamount to robbing the poor because people are struggling to make ends meet, many might inquire: Has Mukanya now decided to be a robber a few months after blasting others “robbers”?
Only Mukanya and his management have answers to these questions but on Friday Chiyangwa reiterated that the musician was on his way home.
Chiyangwa initially said the show would be held next month but it seems, up to now, nothing concrete is on the table for the promoter and the musician. Chiyangwa said they were still preparing a contract and it baffles the mind to imagine the type of contract that would take a month to be in place if both parties had agreed and confirmed that the show was on.
What makes the issue complicated is the background to the whole issue. When Mukanya was quoted saying he would not rob the poor, he is said to have singled out Chiyangwa as one of the people milking the poor and challenged him to go to Hollywood if he was really rich.
Chiyangwa fought back and said Mukanya was living in the past and should come home to see the real situation. It was after this exchange of words that both parties came, from nowhere, with this idea that they were working together for a show in Harare.
Is there something brewing beyond our sight? For now, the wait continues.
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