Legendary Chimurenga musician Thomas Mapfumo is facing mounting pressure from relatives, friends and close associates to accept a lucrative US$1,5 million performance offer from businessman Sir Wicknell Chivayo, a prominent supporter of Zanu PF.
Chivayo, known for showering pro-government artists with luxury cars and cash, made the offer while wishing Jah Prayzah a happy 39th birthday.
He pledged US$1,5 million for Mapfumo to perform at Jah Prayzah’s anticipated wedding in August and at Chivayo’s birthday celebrations.
The proposal has triggered intense debate, with videos circulating on social media showing people close to the 81-year-old musician — including his nephew, Kurai Makore — encouraging him to accept what they describe as a well-deserved financial reward.
Former Mapfumo manager and publicist Blessing Vava has also urged the Chimurenga icon to take the offer.
“As for Mukanya, I believe he should accept Wicknell Chivayo's offer if he is indeed invited to perform,” Vava wrote on Facebook.
“Whether one agrees with Chivayo or not, this appears to be an appreciation of Thomas Mapfumo's immense contribution to Zimbabwean music.”
Vava’s view drew criticism from some who saw his position as inconsistent with his long-standing activist credentials.
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Mapfumo, affectionately known as Mukanya, has not publicly responded.
For more than five decades, Mapfumo has built a reputation as Zimbabwe's musical conscience.
During the liberation struggle, his Chimurenga music became the soundtrack of resistance against the Rhodesian government, earning him imprisonment in 1979.
After independence, he turned his lyrics against corruption and authoritarianism under the late former president Robert Mugabe.
Songs such as Corruption, Disaster and Mamvemve made him one of the government's fiercest critics, eventually forcing him into self-imposed exile in the United States in 2000.
His criticism of Zanu PF has continued under President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Supporters of the offer argue that Mapfumo deserves financial security after a lifetime of contributing to Zimbabwean music.
Others see the proposal as carrying significant political symbolism, warning that accepting money from a businessman closely associated with the ruling establishment could undermine the principled stance that has defined his career.
For now, the US$1,5 million offer remains unanswered — and so does the question that has divided Zimbabweans: can the lion's roar be bought?
