Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Richmore Tera
25 February 2008
Harare — CHITUNGWIZA-based writer, Erasmus Chinyani has completed a biographical book chronicling the life and works of prominent sungura musician Alick Macheso.
The book, titled From Bindura to the Big Time, traces Macheso's rags to riches story -- his rise from humble beginnings in the dusty streets of Bindura into the international star that he has become today.
Chinyani said the idea of writing the book came from Macheso himself, who suggested the idea following an interview the writer had with the artiste for a newspaper article four years ago.
"I discovered that his story would inspire a lot of people and also give a graphic insight into his life," he said.
Interestingly, the biography also bares open Macheso's previously guarded secrets while at the same time correcting misconceptions and rumours about the artiste.
It reveals that Macheso was once a member of the Jowane Masowe Wechishanu sect, which he attended together with his cousin Nicholas Zakaria.
"He is very religious in his beliefs despite playing in pubs. I discovered that in almost everything he says he makes mention of God.
"He is also very humble, a pleasant person to be around, has a high level of intellect, in fact, he is full of surprises," Chinyani said.
But it is the chapter on his childhood years that is likely to bring tears into many readers' eyes.
It narrates how Macheso had a miserable upbringing characterised by hardships and the struggle to be accepted as a burgeoning musician in a society that disapproved of children who wanted to be such in life.
"He narrated to me about his struggle, making makeshift guitars that would be broken by relatives and rivals.
"He was self-taught and the wealth of what he has taught himself in music can be equivalent to a degree. He is a genius," explained Chinyani, who even interviewed some of the artiste's relatives for confirmation.
The biography also offers glimpses into Macheso's relationship with Zakaria dating from their days as the Khiama Boys, their eventual split, and how the musician later on struggled to make ends meet before finally founding own Orchestra Mberikwazvo outfit.
Also there is no area about Macheso's life and his relationship with his wife that is left uncovered in the book.
Chinyani said the biography would be published in April by African Renaissance Printing and Publishing.
Chinyani -- young brother to late musicians Cyriel and Eugene Shoniwa of the Spiders Band -- is not new to writing.
He is a freelance writer whose short story -- A Land of Starving Millionaires -- was published in a new short story collection -- Laughing Now.
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