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Alick Macheso

Problem Masau Arts Correspondent
Sungura maestro Alick Macheso paid tribute to the late mbira queen, Chiwoniso Maraire, while performing at Pamuzinda Highway Xscape on Friday. Maraire died last Wednesday from a chest infection. Macheso observed a minute of silence for the late musician before bursting into song and dance.

“She was in a league of her own. I once performed with her at Jazz 105 and people loved it. I was shocked to hear about her death. Our music sector will be poorer without her contribution. What pains me is that she was still young,” he said.

Macheso, who for the first time in over a month was performing without crutches, gave a good performance.
His chief dancer, Majuice, was not part of the crew on compassionate grounds after losing his child early last week.

However, Macheso seemed to be losing his crowd pulling power as only a handful of music fans pitched up for the show.
Being the last Friday of the month, it was expected that the venue would be filled to capacity. Most of those who attended the show could not endure the whole show as they left midway.

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• Chiwoniso laid to rest amid family feud

Sensing that the fans were becoming bored, Macheso thanked his fans who have stood with him during the trying times when he was deserted by senior band members.

“Ndinotenda nerudo rwenyu rwemhando yepamusorosoro (Thank you for your love and support),” he said as he saluted the crowd.
“Baba Sharo”, as Macheso is popularly known among his fans, pleaded with the fans to be patient with some of his newly recruited members, but was quick to add that the new guys were gelling with the rest of the band.

Macheso has since replaced “rebel” Obert Gomba with Givemore Chokumanyara while Noel Nyazanda’s place is being taken good care of by the versatile Donald Gogo.

It seems as if Macheso is struggling to find his form that made him a household name after the departure of key band members.
Of late he has been inconsistent as witnessed at his shows at the Andy Millar, New Life Night Club, Kadoma and Extra Mile.