Zimpapers Logo

First Farai

Problem Masau Arts Correspondent
SUNGURA musician First Farai might be basking in the glory of newly launched album but it appears he is wallowing in debt after he failed to pay US$210 he owes a Chitungwiza transport company, Lime Great .The musician, who was provided with transport to ferry his band members and music equipment in June,  is reportedly playing hide and seek with officials from the company.

An official from the company Obert Bande said they were mulling legal action.
“The musician approached us sometime in June and we offered him transport for his shows to different provinces but the shows flopped leading to his failure to pay our money back in time. At first, we accepted his plight but now it appears he doesn’t want to pay up. He is constantly changing goalposts.

“He attributed the poor turnout at his shows to the harmonised elections but now that the elections are over he is still elusive,” he added.
Contacted for comment, Farai said he was willing to clear the debt.

“We were towards (harmonised) elections and business was very low not just for me but most musicians. I am a full-time musician and if people don’t attend my shows there is nowhere I can get the money. Once I stage live shows I will return what belongs to Caesar,” he said.

First Farai started his career after clinching the top award at the International Music Crossroads finals held in Tanzania in 2002.
Determined to make it, he started working on a number of projects and his breakthrough came when he released his album “Simba Nacho”, that did well with the song “Secret Number”.

The sungura musician has played at different forums including national galas where he commanded a huge following.
Born 36 years ago in Chinhoyi, he has several albums to his name — “Pahasha”, “Dingatinga”, “Ngingongingo”, “Simba Racho”, “Tiritose Mundima Machinda”, “Zvipo NeTariro”, “Zvandakuitirai Izvi” and “Paidamoyo”.