Zimbabwe: 'Enemy of the state' misses Tuku

Mtukudzi and Mapfumo, who were both part of Wagon Wheels in the late 1970s, have often differed publicly on a variety of issues. The two veteran artists have different songwriting philosophies. Best known as Tuku, Mtukudzi’s songs are more subtle while Mapfumo is more direct.

But in an interview with the Daily News, Mapfumo , who turned 72 last week, insisted that he had always had great respect for Tuku, who is eight years his junior.

“Oliver is a very good friend of mine; we have come very far and I miss him a lot,” Mapfumo said, adding that he was very disappointed in February when Mtukudzi cancelled his US tour after he was denied a visa.

“It has been a long time since I last spoke to Oliver. He used to come here and we would meet every time he was here. I heard that they denied him a work visa to come and perform in America early this year and I was very disturbed.”

Mapfumo, who is critical of Zimdancehall artists for promoting “vulgar lyrics and violence” believes Mtukudzi is doing a great job to promote “authentic” Zimbabwean music. “I respect that group of old musicians like Mtukudzi and of late Alick Macheso as they have promoted our Zimbabwean music but nobody is supporting them,” the ‘Nyoka Musango’ singer said.

In addition to Mtukudzi, Mapfumo, who conceded this week that he was homesick, said he was missing another veteran Zimbabwean musician, Zexie Manatsa, 73.

“I do not even know where Zexie is now and I hope I will be able to speak to him soon. Zexie is a very good friend. Remember, I played at his wedding in Rufaro Stadium [in 1979] and that shows how close we were. I think it would be a good idea to collaborate with some of these great artists [Mtukudzi and Manatsa].” 

Manatsa, best known for hits such as ‘Tea Hobvu’, ‘Chipo Chiroorwa’, ‘Vaparidzi Vawanda’, ‘Ndipeiwo Pfumo’ and ‘Musango Munehangaiwa’, quit music for the pulpit in 1987 after a string of misfortunes. The veteran musician is now a pastor at a local church.

Mapfumo said he missed his fans and friends. “I am disconnected because I haven’t seen most of my friends for many years and some have passed away. I don’t even know what Harare looks like now. I can only imagine, even though I am constantly following the events happening at home through the media and through some people close to me, but it is still not enough.” 

But Mapfumo does not see himself returning to Zimbabwe any time soon. “I am always thinking of coming home but I will remain stuck in foreign lands unless the situation changes. I don’t think that is going to happen any time soon unless there is a change. Even if I would like to come back, it seems I am regarded as an enemy of the state.

“If the situation changes for the better, I will pack my bags and catch the earliest flight to come and perform in Zimbabwe,” Mapfumo said.

Asked what his biggest regret was on the occasion of his 72nd birthday, Mapfumo singled out his life in exile. “The biggest regret is that I am not a free man. I am not living in Zimbabwe. It’s a pity that we fought for the liberation of this county, yet we only achieved dictatorship and oppression. I miss freedom, I miss home and I miss my fans,” he said.