Govt rescues Mapfumo

LOCAL musician Evans “Pfumela” Mapfumo has heaved a sigh of relief after government through the Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation ministry honoured its pledge to sponsor his Tanzanian trip for a performance at the Sauti zaBusara Festival.

Backed by his Kiat Band, Mapfumo will depart today as part of performers at this year’s edition of the Sauti zaBusara festival that roars to life on Friday until Sunday.

Government is funding the band’s air tickets and other travel expenses to the festival to be held under the theme Paza Sauti: Amplifying Women’s Voices.

Mapfumo, who confirmed the developments to NewsDay Life & Style, thanked the government for its gesture after corporates and individuals had failed to honour their pledges.

“We will be leaving this Wednesday (today) after a send-off party in Belvedere where we are going to receive our stage costumes, courtesy of a sponsorship from Civil Net Construction Company,” he said.

“We appreciate the sponsorships and donations from the Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation ministry who pledged and honoured their full sponsorship of air tickets and travel expenses for the duration of the festival.”

Meanwhile, Mapfumo had an impressive rehearsal performance which left the audience spellbound at Damview Resort in Chitungwiza on Sunday.

He promised sterling performances at the festival.

“People in Zanzibar should expect vibrant and high energetic performances rooted in Zimbabwean tradition and contemporary cultures.

“We will be telling a true story of peace, love and harmony from Zimbabweans,” he said.

Terence Kwenda, who plays percussion and teaches choreographies to the band, said: “Africa and the world at large should expect a taste of Zimbabwean traditional music and sounds which continue to ring in their minds for a long time.”

At the festival, Mapfumo and his band would share the stage with compatriot Sylent Nqo and other international artistes like Sampa The Great (Zambia), Sholo Mwamba (Tanzania), Sjava (South Africa), Fanie Fayar (Congo), Suzan Kerunen (Uganda), Aleksand Saya (Reunion) and Iamsiwas (Australia).

Sauti zaBusara (which means Sounds of Wisdom in Swahili) is an annual pan-African music festival that celebrates cultural pluralism.

The festival is organised by Busara Promotions, a non-governmental organisation registered in Zanzibar.