Zimpapers Logo

Godwin Muzari Showbiz Mirror
A couple of weeks ago Showbiz Mirror questioned why popular local musicians were not taking part in fundraising for Tokwe-Mukosi flood victims.
The first major show to raise funds for the flood victims had South Africa’s Zahara as the main act and one of the organisers of the gig Dereck Mpofu, who is also a musician said he could not get popular local artistes to perform at the gig because most of them had other commitments.
It was awkward that a foreign musician would lead an event to fund raise for the unfortunate villagers at Chingwizi camp when our musicians turned a blind eye on the disaster and many other disadvantaged people in similar situations different parts of the country.

Mpofu recently donated some proceeds from the two shows that Zahara held in Harare and Bulawayo to the flood victims. He led by example in his capacity as the Green Ambassador. He did what many artistes with capacities beyond his could not do.

However, the example that he set was followed by other local musicians that performed for free at the Soap and Shirt festival held at Belgravia sports club last week for the sake of flood victims at Chingwizi, Tsholotsho and Muzarabani.

Although some organisations behind the show have other plans about how to deliver the goods that were sourced at the gig to the victims, it is encouraging that musicians saw the importance of performing for free to assist their affected countrymen.

Unfortunately, ZimRights director Okay Machisa and his team are trying to complicate issues by seeking to evade the normal system of donations to disaster victims, which requires them to engage the Government. Unless they have other motives behind the donations, the non-governmental organisations should just do as every other well-wisher has done and follow the normal channel.

Musicians came and performed to assist the victims and the goods that were sourced should go to the needy without complications.
It is unfortunate that the NGOs sometimes take advantage of desperate people to get mileage.

If the charity show was done for a good cause and with sincere motives, there is no need to create unnecessary conflicts. There is a danger of politicising the donations that were sourced using artistes that wholeheartedly performed to assist the victims.

If Peter Moyo could not convince his band to perform for free at the event, it means other artistes that made it on the day went an extra mile for the sake of charity and they deserve respect.

Musicians that performed at the event include the Charambas, Leonard Zhakata, Jah Prayzah, Suluman Chimbetu, Cynthia Mare, BaShupi and Pastor G.
It is good the musicians finally saw the need to “donate” their performances to save families. It is not often that so many artistes come together for a charity event and that is why Mpofu could not bring the popular musicians together for the Zahara show.

Another promoter who wanted to hold a similar show last month complained that some artistes asked for high performance fees for the charity show. The show that had been scheduled for City Sports Centre on May 10 had to be cancelled partly because some artistes wanted to make money out of a charity gig.

Some of the musicians had been taken to Chingwizi to have a clear picture of the situation they were supposed to “work” for but they could not commit themselves to the complete process.

It is good that among the musicians that visited the camp Charles Charamba and Leonard Zhakata were part of last week’s fundraising show. They should be applauded for their efforts.

Now, organisers of the upcoming Winter Jazz Festival have indicated that all artistes participating at the three-day music fête would donate something to flood victims.

They have also implored music fans to bring something to the shows towards a warm winter for the displaced families.
It shows that our artistes are now determined to contribute to the victims. It is a good sign.

Keep up the good work.