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Thomas Mapfumo

Tawanda Marwizi Arts Correspondent 
Thomas Mapfumo’s album “Dangerzone” was launched on Tuesday night at the Book Cafe. Several musicians including Jah Prayzah, Edith We Utonga, Clare Nyakujara, Victor Kunonga, Jairos Chabvonga, Norman Masamba and poet Chirikure Chirikure performed at the launch. Music critic Professor Fred Zindi, Jive Zimbabwe director Benjy Nyandoro, Mazoe South MP Fortune Chasi and Emmanuel Sibindi from Metro Studios attended.

Mapfumo who spoke through a recorded video said he was grateful for the support he was getting back home.

“Album iri rine zvese zvamungada kuteerera uye rinonakidza zvikuru. Tinotenda zvikuru nerutsigiro rwakadai (The album has everything and its is good. We thank you for the support),” he said.

He said artistes must fight against piracy so that music industry can grow.

“CD kuita dhora shuwa? Vaimbi ngavabatane pamwe varwise piracy nekuti music yacho ingafaka (How can you sell as CD for $1? Musicians must unite to fight piracy because the music might die),” he said.

Sibindi said there was need for the artistes to regroup and fight against piracy.

“Artistes need to know the value of their music because if someone steals a goat worth $30 he gets 10 or so years in jail but if a pirate is caught he is fined $10 or gets community service for pirating music worth hundreds of dollars,” he said.

Chasi, who was the guest of honour, said people should be punished for piracy.

“A certain guy came to me selling pirated music and I asked him if he was aware of the offence and he said ‘ndikutsvaga kurarama mudhara’, these people must face the law. We have laws for these pirates,” he said.

Blessing Vava, who is the spokesperson for Mapfumo, thanked the people for their support during the album launch.

“He is not here but the attendance can tell that people have Mukanya at heart. We have some who have travelled from Mozambique to come and support this event,” he said.