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Steve Makoni

Monica Cheru-Mpambawashe : Lifestyle Editor

Long before the exposes of cheaters that social media would provide, he sang about the fickleness of lovers. The song “Zvachonyana” talks about how fidelity and love are not synonyms. His acerbic observations have made him a household name. The crowd that turned up for the “Manyika Night” at Bar Rouge at Long Cheng Plaza recently seemingly agreed with his cynical conclusions as they sang along and called for encores of the satirical song, in between bites of madhumbe.

There are many who may have been wondering if maybe the ass in his “Sabhuku nedongi” classic might have ridden off with the singer. Steve Makoni who has long been a fixture on the Zimbabwean music scene says that he has never been off it.

“Too many people think that being a musician is about appearing in the paper. I have never retired from music and have been holding shows. I play every Thursday at Zim Cafe. Next week I will be in Masvingo. Most of the shows are at private and corporate functions and I do not advertise them because entry is obviously restricted. So people mistakenly think that if they are not reading about me in the papers then I am gone and forgotten.

“I was recently in the UK where I performed with Thomas Mapfumo and Ray Majongwe at the Independence Celebration in Diaspora Chimurenga Bira on 16 April in Leicestershire. I also performed in Luton.” Says Makoni.

The last time that Makoni did appear in this publication in 2014 he was announcing the imminent release of an album called Munyibho which features a collaboration with Oliver Mtukudzi. The album is yet to come out. Makoni says change of ownership of his recording label has put matters in limbo but he is hopeful that soon things will be resolved.

“I was recording with RTP which then changed hands and I have no contract with the new guys. I want rights to my earlier works because I intend to record and distribute my works under my own label and the old music is still in demand. The material for the album has mostly been recorded. As soon as the legal wrinkles are ironed out, it will be out.”

Makoni says that beating piracy is a challenge because artistes are expected to be foot soldiers in a war that the responsible ministry is supposed to fight for them.

“What has this ministry done? Musicians should not be fighting piracy but presenting their position to the ministry then having them act. The laws are so lax that a pirate can practically pay a spot fine and continue to trade with impunity. Music is part of the economy, a real industry that can create jobs and even promote tourism. But right now there is no decent employment opportunities because the pirates have killed the avenues of income.”

The veteran musician says brand building and clever marketing will ensure that one gets some income from record sales.

“It is better to start releasing your music outside the country and on-line. At least with platforms like Youtube you get something for your pains. Advertising your launch is like creating a market for pirates if your work is not properly protected up to that stage. Because people will be asking you to sign pirated copies at that launch!”

Makoni says that being a comic is an essential part of his repertoire because he is a lone performer.

“When you are a one-man band, you have to avoid being a robot. Telling jokes is my way of getting the audience to participate. I can even stop in the middle of a song to share a story. Performing alone is quite difficult and I have seen colleagues who are used to backing bands struggle to get through a few songs when they try solo performances.”

He laughs off the label of a cynic saying that he only calls them as he sees them:

“My music, my lyrics are about folk. People relate to what I say because it has happened or might have happened to them or someone they know. It is the story of the people. So, no, I am not a cynic. I just describe life.” He also says that his jokes are never pointed at any particular person quipping, “The thing I hate most is someone without a sense of humour. If I make a general observation why should you conclude that it is aimed at you personally?”

Although he sings country music, which links him to older generation audiences who grew up on a staple of Porter Wagner, Dolly Parton and other such greats decades ago, Makoni is fluid enough to fit his act to younger groups. He has shared the stage with youthful singers including Alexio Kawara, Jah Prayzah, Tariro neGitare and Willis Watafi. He says some of the performances even included improptu collaborations.

The husband to Anita and father of five who lives in Rusape says that he is omnivorous and will devour anything palatable placed on his plate. A Black Label lager occasionally buttressed with a Viceroy or Famous Grouse shot is his staple tipple. In his free time he writes music and potters around his garden where he is considering taking up fowl rearing again.

“No, I am not thinking of going into raising zvihuta. I used to rear turkeys and I am thinking of going back into that line,” he says.

Steve Makoni’s driving principle in life is a simple but great recipe for happiness:

“There is no time to be grumpy like the world owes. It is very healthy to laugh, you beat stress.”

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