The Sunday Mail
Prince Mushawevato
TOP local performers are making a beeline for South Africa following the relaxation of Covid-19 lockdown regulations across the Limpopo.
Leading the pack is sungura maestro Alick Macheso, who is set to headline two gigs in Johannesburg. The shows will be held on October 9 and October 10 at Newtown Music Factory and Germiston Lounge, respectively.
“Baba Sharo”, as Macheso is affectionately known by his legion of fans, was supposed to have performed in Mzansi in June as part of his 53rd birthday celebrations. But, the two gigs were cancelled at the proverbial eleventh hour after South Africa announced a Level Three lockdown as the third wave of Covid-19 took hold.
However, the country recently eased restrictions, moving to Level Two, as infections dropped.
The new measures allow for greater activity and the number of people permitted at public gatherings have been increased to a maximum of 250 people indoors, from 50, and 500 outdoors from 100 before.
Speaking in an interview with The Sunday Mail Society, Baba Sharo said he was keeping his fingers crossed.
“Takangoringa denga kuna iye musiki (we are looking up to the Creator) to make everything possible,” he said.
“We also look forward to performing here soon. Ngatibaiwe ma vaccine tese (Let’s us all get vaccinated) so that it becomes easy for authorities to open public shows for us. Covid-19 is real and kills! Vaccination is the only way to win this war.”
The forthcoming gigs will give Macheso’s fans in Mzansi a rare opportunity to witnesses the music genius in action after a very long break.
The celebrity musician and Zimbabwe Red Cross humanitarian ambassador has only participated in virtual gigs since Covid-19 hit our shores in March last year.
According to the musician’s management, they have “spiritedly” resisted taking part in unsanctioned live shows since the beginning of the lockdown.
“The temptation is always high. There are people that come with lucrative offers but as one of the leading bands in the country, we have to lead by example. It would be reckless for us to value money ahead of people’s lives by conducting shows when authorities opine the situation does not permit,” said Macheso’s manager Tich Makahamadze.
“Yes, this is a terrible phase and everyone has been affected, but we have to do things by the book so that we all stay safe.”
The musician, he added, will be sampling songs from his forthcoming but yet-to-be-titled album.
“Mdara (Macheso) has been busy in the studio. We have a lot of new stuff. Some of the songs will be sampled during the two gigs. This will certainly inform our decision on which songs will be part of the forthcoming album,” he said.
For the first show at Newtown Music Factory, Macheso will be supported by Pamela Zulu (better known as Gonyeti), Nox, Darlington Tanganyika and Baba Tencen. Gonyeti, who is Jah Prayzah’s former dancer and backing vocalist, has been off the radar in terms of new compositions and presence even on virtual platforms.
The show will be a major boost for her waning career.
The following day, Baba Sharo will enlist the services of Dino Mudondo, Ras Bleds and Paddy Watts.
Also not to be outdone is rising mbira singer Virimai Nhedega, or Vee Mhofu.
The composer and singer will together with his group Dziva Rembira perform at Macanudo (Germiston, South Africa) on November 20 supported by another mbira group, Reloaded Mbiradzakondo.
The show is dubbed “Bira Revashavi”.
Vee Mhofu is currently riding high following the release of his third studio album “Izwi Remvura”, which carries masterpieces such as “Mucheka Weretso” and “Tsotso”.
“Covid-19 slowed us down. But, the feedback we are getting from our fans from all over the country following the release of ‘Izwi Remvura’ is encouraging. We currently have demand for shows in the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and South Africa,” said Vee Mhofu.
Other musicians that are expected to cross the border soon for shows include Mbeu, Selmor Mtukudzi, Van Choga, Franco Slomo, among others.
Local live acts have been on ice for over a year as part of measures to curb the spread of the virus.
The Government has eased lockdown measures, but bars and nightclubs, where live shows are often held, remain closed.
Virtual gigs have become the new normal.
