Chimurenga music legend Thomas Mapfumo is making frantic efforts to meet President Mugabe on his return home early this year after yet another failed attempt last year.
Speaking through his manager Austin Sibanda, Mapfumo who has been living in self-imposed exile in the United States for more than 10 years said he had plans of meeting President Mugabe during the visit.
The meeting that is being brokered by South African-based businessman and music promoter James “Jimmy Jimalo” MacAdams is expected to create a platform for a positive engagement with the President.
“Mapfumo has always been outspoken about issues that affect the people as a voice of the people. The people are tired and it’s time to unite and build our country. We need unity within the government itself and politicians ought to lead by example,” said Sibanda.
However, critics say it boggles the mind why Mapfumo would want an audience with President Mugabe when in fact, he should meet Commissioner General of Police Augustine Chihuri over his alleged pending cases. Others say that it could be Mapfumo’s way of extending his stay in the US.
According to Sibanda, Mapfumo was now concerned about development instead of working towards self-enrichment he urged politicians to curb corruption, poverty and unemployment that was rife among Zimbabweans.
He said that upon meeting President Mugabe, Mukanya, as Mapfumo is affectionately known by his legion of fans, had plans of raising topical issues like that of piracy, a disease he said was crippling the local music industry.HERALD
