Macheso vocalist goes AWOL

Macheso vocalist goes AWOL

By Munashe Rungano

Sungura king Alick Macheso has had to put up a depleted front-line as one of his trusted backing vocalists, Watson Fundura has not reported for duty in the past fortnight without official communication for pardon from his bosses.

Fundura, who doubles as a dancer, has been conspicuous with his absence at Macheso is also known by his legion of fans, live shows in the recent weeks.

A source at the band revealed that nomadic Fundura- a former Utakataka drummer – had just stopped coming for rehearsals without any known or formal reasons to his actions.

“Mukomana akangorgedza kuuya kubasa blaz, hameno yaari kukiya,” said the insider.

He added that efforts to find out Fundura’s decision to abscond from his paymaster had been futile as he had no mobile phone.

Tich Makahamadze, Macheso’s publicist, confirmed that Fundura had just disappeared but reiterated that the band would not be deterred by his departure.

“He just stopped coming to work and up to now we have no clue where he is. However the team is still going strong and l would like to assure our fans that we have enough depth in the band to fill in the gaps left by departing members,” he said.

This becomes the second time Fundura leaves the ‘mighty’ Mberikwazvo outfit albeit in different circumstances.

In 2014 he was shown the door by the band’s management together with fellow dancer Forward Antonio, who has also since returned, for being scruffy on stage.

Fundura was later re-admitted after the departure of Jonasi Kasamba, Obert Gomba and Noel Nyazanda-who have all since returned again-to join another Mberikwazvo product Francis ‘Slomo’ Dhaka to form Extra Kwazvose.

Macheso who has promised another album in March has also conceded that vocals on his previous album were poor.

In a post on his official Facebook post, Macheso said he had given in to pressure from his fans and would sing all the vocals personally.

Although the album by far sold way above most recent projects by most musicians reportedly selling 100000 on the day of the release, Tsoka Dzerwendo, Macheso was heavily criticised for introducing a new studio vocalist.

In the past Macheso did all his vocals alone.