Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Tatenda Chipungudzanye
12 January 2008
interview
Harare — He is considered to be the unsung hero of Zimbabwe's sungura music. He has made an impact on a number of popular songs by Alick Macheso and the late Leonard Dembo, but there seems to be very little acknowledgement.
One would need to talk to talented rhythm guitarist Innocente Mijuntu to know his involvement in successful sungura songs which probably explains why people don't really realise how talented he is.
Sadly, he has not really made it on his own and again people have not really appreciated his talent. Mijuntu actually played a pivotal role in Zimbabwe's all-time hit song Chitekete and many other great songs by Dembo, and he stood out in Macheso's Charakupa and Tererai.
After leaving Orchestra Mberikwazvo early last year, there have been all sorts of "sad stories" about Mijuntu and one would easily be led to believe that he is all but finished.
This week we caught up with Mijuntu and he dismissed talk that he has hit hard times to the extent of selling the car bought while still part of Macheso's backing band.
Question: Who is Innocente Mijuntu?
Answer: I was born in 1972 in Hwange.
During my early childhood we were shifting most of the times as my father was being transferred now and again.
That saw us moving to Bulawayo in the 70s and back to Dete in Hwange in 1982.
I started music seriously in 1982 although I started playing the banjo by 1979.
When I was 10 years old, I would team up with my friends and support a band called Kasamba Bezi, which was a resident band at a local hotel in Dete.
We were called the Uprising Stars then - an apt name for our youthful group then.
We were to support Kasamba Bezi until 1986 and we relocated to Bulawayo in 1988 where we performed at nightclubs.
It was that same year that I was taken aboard by the late Ephraim Joe who led the Sungura Boys.
I used to play the lead guitar for him, but the romance with Joe came to an end that same year because his lead man had returned.
Joe just terminated my contract and I hastily joined Nyami Nyami Sounds that same year.
Two years later, the late Mukoma Dembo (Leonard Dembomavara) sent one Dhimba when I was at Nyami Nyami to get me and join his Barura Express.
This was done as arranged and I had an audition where I played some of Dembo's oldies and he was impressed.
I was told that there was no longer need for me to make a brief return to Nyami Nyami and Dembo offered to cater for my welfare.
We then rehearsed for three days before going for shows where Dembo was impressed and that the beginning of my long marriage with Dembo that saw us release a series of albums.
We released Kukura Hakutani, Zii Zii, Chitekete, Mazano, Shiri Yakangwara, Tinokumbira Kurarama, Nzungu Ndamenya and Paw Paw when Mukoma Dembo was still alive.
After his death, we released Ndiri Mudiki, Hamungadaro, Kutinya Marimba, Vekugodoka Vaye, Zvimwe Hazvigone, Ndipeiwo Chiedza, Chido, Tirikuchema Dembo and Torarama Sei - all with Barura Express.
I left the group in 2002 when other members left while others had died. We were now a very small workforce so I joined Macheso with the aim of assisting him while I was working to rebuild my empire (band).
With Macheso, we released Zvakanaka Zvakadaro in 2003 and Vapupuri Pupurai in 2005.
When I left Macheso in 2006, I formed my own group, Zimbabwe African Rhythm Experts (ZARE), and released two albums -- the first Ndafunga Barura and then Revai that was released late last year.
Question: We have a number of versions as to why you left Orchestra Mberikwazvo. What is the reason for your leaving? Were you fired? Is it true that you recorded an album without telling your boss (Macheso)?
Answer: When I joined Macheso, I was did so to help out.
I was taking time to fine-tune my band that had been depleted by a mass exodus and the death of other members.
I left Macheso because I felt that it was the ripe time to re-assemble my band to continue from where I had left. I was only relaunching my career when I joined Macheso and I was never destined to be there forever.
Question: How has life been since you left Mberikwazvo? Are you earning much and are you still popular in the streets of Chitungwiza?
Answer: I am doing extremely well. I am even getting more (money) as people are coming to our shows in their numbers.
I am still very popular -- even kids know me.
Question: Do you regret leaving Mberikwazvo?
Answer: No -- I want to build my own empire.
Question: Has ZARE been a success, Given your previous links with Dembo and then Macheso?
Answer: I am happy -- it is us who are actually letting fans down.
We do not yet have the capacity to hold many live shows, but they are always calling us for shows in different areas.
Question: We understand you have been engaged as a session musician. Which groups have you worked with?
Answer: I have worked with many musicians and for the record I do not help others to record for monetary gains.
I just assist for the passion of music, for the betterment of the industry.
I do not charge musicians for the services.
Question: What has been your greatest moment as a musician?
Answer: Every moment has been fantastic for me ever since I ventured into music in 1982.
Question: What do you prefer -- singing or the rhythm guitar? It seems you do not have the voice.
Answer: Many people do not know that I used to back Mukoma Dembo and I do not see anything wrong in assuming the leading role in singing.
That is how my music will develop.
Question: Who is your favourite Zimbabwean musician?
Answer: I love music and anyone who plays good music at any given time would be among my favourites.
I respect the old school of late musicians James Chimombe, John Chibadura, Leonard Dembo naana Mukoma (Oliver) Mtukudzi, among others.
Question: If you were to be the judge, who would you say is the best ever sungura musician to emerge in Zimbabwe?
Answer: Anyone who pays good music I give credit, especially the old school.
I usually have selected songs on albums and musicians usually have flashes of brilliance in selected songs.
Question: If you were a to be the judge, who would you say is better between Alick Macheso and Tongai Moyo?
Answer: I can't answer that for professional reasons.
Question: What would be your view on the mud-slinging match between Tongai and Macheso? What's the way forward?
Answer: No comment. I have nothing to say about them. I am only comfortable with talking about ZARE.
Question: Are you in any way considering joining established bands given that you are one of the best rhythm guitarists in Zimbabwe but that is not fully utilised at ZARE?
Answer: I am not going to join any band. Ndinoda kusimudzira ZARE. But I am always there to assist other musicians for free for it enhances our music industry.
Question: What do you intend to achieve in 2008?
Answer: I want ZARE to be on top of the rest. We want to be among the best.
Question: What should be done to improve the welfare of musicians in Zimbabwe?
Answer: There is need to run bands professionally - as companies.
If musicians run their bands professionally, they will never be reduced to begging at any given time. We also value media criticism. The media - both print and electronic - should expose musicians when they flop and fail to plan well.
This will help musicians develop positively.
There is no reason for Mijuntu to get all the money for his personal use after the show.Mijuntu should get his pay kwete kuridza akatarisa kugedhi kunopinda nevanhu kuti aone kuti show yaita marii agotora yese.
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