The Sunday Mail
While fame has its perks, it is the constant scrutiny and attention that comes with it that can be a source of discomfort.
Sungura maestro Alick Macheso is one public figure who can attest to the fact that being constantly under the spotlight is not a desirable thing.
The sungura music star and his family have, for the greater part of the year, hogged the limelight for an assortment of reasons – most of which are negative.
[SEE GALLERY OF THE CHRONOLOGY OF MISFORTUNE EVENTS FOR ALICK MACHESO]
Early in 2014, Alick topped news in showbiz during and after divorce proceedings with his now ex-wife Tafadzwa Mapako. As the divorce case dragged, it brought out some nasty disclosures about the goings-on in the Macheso household.
Whilst on one hand Alick argued that the two kids that Tafadzwa bore might not have been his, Tafadzwa counter-argued that the unorthodox means that Alick used in treating their children were the reasons for the fall-out on their marriage.
So exhausting was the Tafadzwa divorce that Alick pleaded for tolerance and even contemplated taking a break from music.
That dark cloud had its silver lining, though, when news filtered through that Alick’s eldest daughter, Sharon, was to wed long-time fiancé Kudakwashe Munetsi.
The wedding was to be a glamorous event in Norton at a venue owned by another superstar musician, Oliver Mtukudzi.
But before the wedding, Oliver’s wife – Daisy – had her car broken into and some personal belongings stolen as she drove from the Sharon bride-price ceremony.
And if the wedding was to be a source of joy for the Macheso family, that joy was to be short-lived. Barely three months into their marriage, Sharon and Kudakwashe were before the courts, accusing each other of all manner of crimes, including domestic violence.
As that case was winding up in the courts, Sharon was applying for divorce – citing irreconcilable differences centred on violence, dishonesty, and illegal drugs and alcohol abuse.
But just before the fall-out between Sharon and Kuda, a sad development struck the Macheso family: an issue so sensitive that we choose not to publish it here.
And now we have reports that a teenage girl has eloped to Alick’s eldest, school-going son, Esau. The girl is said to have moved into the Macheso family home in Waterfalls, Harare.
“Esau now has a wife. A teenage girl from a local college has eloped to him and is now part of their (Macheso’s) family,” said a source.
Alick says his family has gone through a lot recently and needs a break, even as he denies the claim of an elopement.
“It’s news to me. I’m his father and don’t even know about a girl eloping to my son or him getting married. The boy is still at school and currently writing his exams. If you notice, most of the things that have been said about my family are wrong,” he says.
The misfortunes around Alick go beyond family matters.
His house, quite a fortress in the neighbourhood because of his security precautions, has been violated.
Mid-last year, there was a break-in, and his car was opened though nothing was taken.
And to compound his woes, Cheso has had to weather storms threatening the survival of his group, Orchestra Mberikwazvo.
In the last two years, a resilient Alick has withstood desertion by two sets of band members. He lost top dancer Franco Slomo, lead guitarist Noel Nyazanda and Elton Muropa to arch-rival musician Suluman “Sulu” Chimbetu. This was about the same time that he was getting cosy with Tafadzwa, whom the band members accused of running down Orchestra Mberikwazvo as she allegedly diverted their resources for home use.
After this, the musician was injured while performing at the Police Commissioner’s Fun Fair in the capital. He broke a leg and spent months limping along.
Just as he thought the worst was over, Alick was forced back to the drawing board when his new set of band members jumped ship. This time around he lost charismatic chanter Jonasi Kasamba, drummer Obert Gomba and Nyazanda (who had re-joined the group from Sulu’s camp).
And about two months ago, Alick lost some instruments in a car accident that injured his engineer, Morgan Mupeta.
It was no great wonder when he released “Kwatakabva Mitunhu (Kure Kwekure)” in 2012. Unfortunately, this ode to his resilience received a lukewarm response.
With misfortune coming after misfortune, some people are now whispering that the Machesos are “cursed”.
This belief was fed by his son-in-law, Kuda Munetsi, who told the courts that Sharon was possessed by the spirit of a long-gone grandmother, and that she at times takes snuff to appease the spirit.
Some have claimed this “spirit” is the reason why Sharon abandoned her studies in China.
“I have since developed a cold heart and stopped bothering about what people say about me and my family. Just like everyone else, I have a way of dealing with my affairs. Every family has problems, as we speak there is a certain David, Gilbert or Anesu or even yourself, with problems that are far worse than mine but not known to the public,” Alick asserts.
The vocalist and bass guitarist adds: “I’m not used to showing off and want to maintain a decent life hence I avoid talking to the Press. Popularity does not come through buying favours from the media or always making headlines.
“It’s unfortunate that only negative things have found their way to the public yet I also have good things that happen in my life on a daily basis.”
The matter of his daughter’s divorce, though, dampens him.
“The two made a conscious decision to marry each other and I will not be involved in their case. This is the reason why I have kept quiet on the matter thus far. They are supposed to find their way forward and I will just abide by whatever decision they make.”
