…Honorable Thursdays
When David Mankaba collapsed during a tour of the United States in 1990, it was to be the beginning of one of the saddest stories in Zimbabwean music fraternity.
The fiery guitarist never recovered only to sneak back into the country to die peacefully in Harare in June 1991.
His story became an international inspiration; he was the first high profile Zimbabwean musician to publicly divulge what had claimed his life.
Mankaba at 32 succumbed to tuberculosis complicated AIDS and famous visitors to his bedside included Princess Anne and Sir Cliff Richards.
Soon after that Shepard Munyama and Shacky Kangwena all died of AIDS related complications within a year.
Today the Bhundu Boys are least remembered for all their music and exploits but more for dying in ‘unspectacular’ fashion.
In future orators will tell a different story of the local music scene. Their tales will celebrate how the current crop of artistes has conquered historic curses in the industry.
The music industry today is a much better environment as it is more rewarding and artistes are seemingly enjoying the fruits of their labour.
Early entries on the musical roll call survived from hand to mouth. Many died paupers while a good number settled for other careers after realising that the juice was not worth the squeeze.
Very few stories of rags to riches have been told unlike the case with the current crop of artistes. Mitchell Jambo and Lovemore Majaivana publicly accepted defeat while many silently went underground, never to be heard again.
Despite breaking the historic curses, it seems there still is a stubborn cancer in the music industry.
Since the preface of the Zimbabwean music story, sex scandals have rocked the industry claiming the lives of many stars, leaving behind legacies and sad tales to tell.
Rich and famous or otherwise musicians seem to have a huge weakness when it comes to the fairer sex.
It is sad that at a time when we have buried many, we still have artistes that are too fuddled by their “fame“ so much that they have risked their all engaging in very questionable sexual relationships.
The story of Andy Muridzo has been a fairytale, from humble rural beginnings to Harare and making his own name as an artiste.
Andy Muridzo. pic i.ytimg.com
It has been a marvel; a true inspiration but alas the young lad’s sexual choices have exposed how Andy Muridzo has just but a desolate mind.
Apparently, married Andy Muridzo was or is still involved in a sexual relationship with controversial dancer Bev Sibanda and allegations suggest that the two have been having unprotected sex since March 2016 and the dancer says she is with child.
Get me right the story is not about dating Bev, normally his sex life would not matter, but then again he is a role model and his choices are everyone’s business.
It’s not about Bev, but this narrative must change.
Andy, please note, the thrills and subsequent danger of sex are the same whether you are in Uzumba, Budiriro, United Kingdom or whatever ruins that you now call home.
The music industry thrills with many benefits – fame, money, sex, drugs and more sex, but it is a trap that has swallowed hundreds if not thousands of your predecessors.
The reality of HIV –AIDS is well known to all and one would feel that artistes, as opinion leaders and role models in society should be leading by example in keeping their sexual behavior in check.
Whoever it is you meant in song, the fact remains Dherira (Delilah) is a seductive, tarty, flirtatious trollop and for an educated fellow, your sexual decisions and preferences thereof must be responsible and well thought.
Andy claims that fame and peer pressure led him to such besmirch actions, WHAT FAME?
Granted the young man has made waves with the tracks Dherira and Dhafundunda but is that enough to claim “fame”; better still justify his stupid actions?
The young man already feels like a megastar. Hold your horses. Artistes like Oliver Mtukudzi have over 60 albums to their names but has been as humble as if he is still looking for his first recording contract.
Muridzo is a married man, and he should be told that his sexual flaws will affect a lot of people, not only his wife and child but his band members as well as the many fans that adore him as a role model.
It took only three years for the Bhundu dream to crumble and Andy is not even an inch close to their exploits. There is nothing special about him, maybe just yet.
Be wise the struggle is real.
For long we have buried artistes right when they have blossomed- Admire Kasenga, Leonard Dembo, System Tazvida , John Chibadura all died and left behind legacies.
In a day and age that is full of educational campaigns, some that you have even participated in; it baffles the mind that you still disregard the gospel you preach and be that reckless.
It is high time that we tell stories with happy endings for our beloved artistes and it starts with every one of them, including Andy.
We have too much talent in graveyards but they can still take more.
I hope as orators tell your story in years to come, the ending will be blissful not the same old broken-record-sounding end.
Paul Bryant says, show class, have pride, and display character. If you do, winning takes care of itself.
John Wooden adds on by saying talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful.
Beware of Dherira, reign in your sexual desires for vultures are waiting!
