Zimpapers Logo

The Rhodesia Herald, 14 January 1969

A SALISBURY man, Mr Saviriyo Madzikatire of Harari, who composes Shona songs and writes the lyrics, says the time has not yet come for an African to live by writing songs because of the lack of recording facilities in Rhodesia.

Mr Madzikatire (34), has been composing for 17 years. Many of his songs are broadcast by the RBC’s African Service, and he has more than 50 recorded by a commercial firm.

He would not say how much his compositions bring in. “I can only say that they don’t earn me enough to live on.”

One of his most popular songs is “Isaac uchandida here?” (Isaac, do you still love me?)

Mr Madzikatire, a mechanic’s assistant at a Salisbury dental surgery, has taught himself to play the guitar.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

• Within a few days in January 1969, the Rhodesia Herald published stories of major achievements by two young black Zimbabweans (Fr Ribeiro on January 9 not January 15), and Safirio (not Saviriyo) Madzikatire.
• The contributions in diverse areas they’ve worked have put Zimbabwe on the global map, and their legacies are immortalised.
• At age 34, both men had made major inroads in the arts and entertainment industry, and were already celebrities, whose works were played on radio.
• Despite his doubts about earning a decent living through song-writing, Madzikatire still proceeded, and became a household-name through the popular drama series with the eponymous character Mukadota, which he co-acted with Mai Rwizi (Susan Chenjerai), his first backing vocalist, before Katarina (Elizabeth Taderera) came on board. Madzikatire had natural talent and deserved the national hero status.
• Although he stayed in the entertainment industry till death, the challenges faced by artists remain unresolved, especially intellectual property rights where artists’ works are increasingly pirated.