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Takesure Zamar

R-Kay The Big Stage
To every purpose there is a process and to that process there are ups and downs highs and lows agreements, disagreements and so on, but when all is said and done a day comes when we deliberately stop and look back and say hey ‘we are here, we are still standing and we still have hope for a brighter and more excellent day at the end of it all SO FAR SO GOOD.

Tomorrow the nation comes together to recognize, appreciate and celebrate 35 years of self rule. For me I believe strongly that beyond our human intellect and wisdom there is a greater force that allows for things to move in a particular direction and so as I look back at the milestones the first point of call is to say God thank you thus far you’ve brought us.

For the past 35 years the music industry has made its significant contribution to providing entertaining informative and value for money artistic products.

Against a lack of proper support and artistic infrastructural developmental platforms programs and incentives those who have a calling in music have not given up.

For the music industry the journey has been tough because even 10 years after Independence the attitude of the community, the family had not changed ,music was regarded a thing for the useless in society Marombe.

Until the day the broadcasting act was amended a new lease of life was ignited into the nation into the industry which definitely goes into the history books as the beginning of a truly Zimbabwean music industry giving every Zimbabwean an opportunity to explore develop and expose their talent.

The local content platform that was created saw a major shift in our nation from the family ,the community and largely from the media as local became laker. Even after independence western and European music had continued to enjoy the best of air play .Asked who is your favourite musician it was easy to say Michael Jackson ,Anita baker Louis Armstrong and so on. Today happily I can say: Trevor Dongo Soul Jah luv, Winky D, Charles Charamba, Takesure Zamar , Prayersoul, Stunner Pastor G, Soul Africa, Blessing Chimanga, Hope Masike among others.

Since this historic move of giving locals a platform to showcase we have since then developed a sense of ownership of our industry and a sense of musical destiny and identity.

Talking to Simba Tags a young and on the move music producer he said it feels great that we can daily wake up to decide which way our music is going and to have a strong sense of pride in our products being played daily on all radio stations.

One of the greatest joys today is the way in which every Zimbabwean has changed his mindset from finding value and identity in foreign music but priding themselves and dancing to the sound of Zimbabwe and even African music.

For too long zvaito nyadzisa kuridza sungura (museve) in the company of friends and family.

We have seen tremendous growth and innovation in the music industry since then judging from the number of artistes shining on the global stage. As a radio personality during the day at work I witness the traffic of artists both new and old passing through bringing their finished products to get an opportunity to enjoy airplay. The confidence that oozes out of most of them demonstrates that they carry with them a blessing from the family and even the community even though they maybe still under major construction.

More radio stations have given artistes hope to make it music wise and its great to see how each radio station has been able to select a certain sound and are promoting it full throttle.

Zim dancehall is one perfect example of a grouping of local artistes that never thought they could see the light of day as they continued to live on the streets of the ghetto, but hey today they are Zimbabwe’s hot property and are gainfully enjoying the fruit of their labour.

As the days have gone by we have seen the business community roping in artistes to partner with their companies their brands as brand Ambassadors.

This in my conclusion is a demonstrating that musicians in Zimbabwe are working so hard to be competitive and have raised the bar to international standards.

How many artistes are brand ambassadors ,too many to mention.

Today as we celebrate 35 years of independence its good to see the musician the doctor the lawyer eating at the same table in a fellowship that respects either party as an integral part of life.

Talk about brands in business you can also talk about brands in music .

Anyway I could go on and on but let me some up by saying Yes so far so good but as we turn 35 years old ,may this be an opening of a better chapter for the music and arts industry may we see deliberate policies and systems that define and sustain a proper music industry practices. If music is going to serious business then lets have standard operating procedures and pricing.

Listen there’s a lot of good brewing as a result of our independence and we cannot afford to ignore it but be a part of the process to realising and living the Zimbabwean purpose the Dream

Happy 35 years. God do us well and release a new creative proudly Zimbabwean sound that will shock the world.