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Bob Marley

Sophia Chese Arts Correspondent
The Marley Foundation has cleared the air on the issue of communication between the late Bob Marley’s family and Zimbabwe Music Awards organisers ahead of an Honorary Award that has been set aside for the music icon.

Zima decided to honour Bob Marley for his contribution to the music industry at the awards ceremony to be held next year.

However, there were reports that the move was marred by confusion after organisers contacted wrong people with the intention of bringing representatives of Marley’s family to Zimbabwe to receive the award.

Bob Marley’s issues are handled by the Marley Foundation, an organisation dedicated to perpetuating the spiritual, cultural, social and musical ideals and goals that guided and inspired the late music legend.

In an interview from her United States base, Bob Marley Music manager and member of the foundation, Doreen Crujeiras said she has discussed the issue with ZIMA.

“I have spoken to Joseph (Nyadzayo) about the issue and we have been communicating well, we are yet to sit down with the family and see who can come to represent the Marley family to receive the award, everything is alright,” she said.

Crujeiras also said they are happy with the recognition and thanked the organisers for such a gesture.

“We are happy, excited with such a wonderful gesture and would love to thank the organisers for the recognition,” she said.

ZIMA spokesperson Farai Chapoterera said they had engaged several people before Crujeiras got in touch with them to discuss the issue.

She said they are happy with the response they got from the Marley family saying they are looking forward to a memorable awards ceremony.

“ZIMA is humbled by the gracious response that we have received from all parties involved. We have had the pleasure of liaising with a representative of the Marley Foundation and an agent of one of the Marley’s children and we have found them both to be accommodating and helpful.

“We look forward to an amazing ceremony befitting not only the late Bob Marley but all of our outstanding performers” said Chapoterera.

ZIMA announced that they will be giving the Lifetime Achievement Award to Bob Marley. This is to honour the place that the late music icon has in Zimbabwean history.

Bob Marley was the first international music icon to perform in an independent Zimbabwe. The international superstar not only gave a good performance but also dedicated a song to the country.

Zima Chairman Joseph Nyadzayo described the song as a second national anthem of the country.

“That song, titled “Zimbabwe”, became a second, though unofficial, national anthem that gave the nation hopes for a brighter future,” he said.

“Over three decades, the reggae music that Bob Marley brought with him has morphed into a Zimbabwean sound known as Zimdancehall.

“A sound that is inspired by the Jamaican genres but is moulded by the experiences of young artists rising up in challenging circumstances but never giving up,” he said.