After a hectic holiday tour that saw him play to audiences in Mutare, Chipinge, Chiredzi and Zvishavane, among other places, popular singer Alec Macheso (pictured) has had a rest for the New Year, as have other locals. Musicians.
“Papa Sharo,” as Macheso is called, has been back at his farm in Chivu since the beginning of the year.
Spending time with family and friends throughout the break is important to him.
The veteran artist claimed that taking a break in January is a “ritual” that dates back to the days when musicians like the late Leonard Dembo and Nicholas Zacharias ruled the music world.
“For me, this is a kind of ritual and tradition. Some might say that we don’t hold concerts because the fans don’t have money, but that’s not the case.
“If I were to perform, say, this weekend, I bet the place would be packed to the rafters,” said Macheso, speaking through his manager Tish Makamadze.
He said it was “taboo” for him and other local musicians to perform live in January.
“The late James Chimombe and Leonard Dembo also did the same. They will never perform in January.
“This has nothing to do with whether people have money or not,” he added.
On the farm, Macheso, who brought his family and relatives with him, grows maize and raises livestock. He said he was “in no rush” to return to the stage.
“During the holiday season, we got a little money that will support us through the month.
“I would like to thank my fans for supporting us. If it weren’t for that, we would be toiling day and night,” Macheso said.
The Mbirikwazvu Orchestra conductor is also taking advantage of the long break to fine-tune the new album he is currently working on.
The eagerly awaited album is scheduled to be released on June 7.
On his tobacco farm in Mangura, Mark Ngwazi also grows tobacco, apparently following in Macheso’s footsteps.
Ngwazi said that by not performing any concert in January, he was simply following tradition.
“As you know, traditional healers do not take care of their clients during certain months. This is the case for us musicians, as we do not perform in January.”
Fellow musicians Romeo Gasa and Nicholas “Madzibaba” Zakaria urged other musicians to observe the tradition of taking a break in January.
“To be honest with you, I don’t know how this happened. I urge my fellow musicians to observe such unwritten prohibitions,” Zakaria said. Sunday Mail
