Harare — Sungura maestro Alick Macheso has described the attendance during his maiden tour of the Pacific as good despite reports that he struggled to lure Zimbabweans based in Australia for his six shows.

The seasoned composer, dancer and bassist started his Aussie tour in Sydney before taking his act to Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth. Macheso was impressed with the turnout at four of the gigs. The Orchestra Mberikwazvo frontman said they were surprised to arrive at one venue and find a banner inscribed "Show Cancelled".

"But that did not deter us from putting up a good show when we finally went on stage - there were some three fans who followed us to all our shows and it was convincing that even in the Diaspora we have die-hard fans. "Even in the UK where we now have a big following, we did not start with such big a number - and even here in Zimbabwe ndiyani musician anongotanga nekuzadza mastadium - it is a matter of time to achieve that," said Macheso. He said they had learnt new things they would harness for their return to the Pacific in January next year with shows set for Australia and New Zealand. "The promoter - Afro-Pacific Promotions learnt a lot of things and I am sure they would consider that for their next shows for the best quality - they should advertise a lot just like we do here.

Macheso said all 170 DVDs of his latest album, Ndezvashe-eh, which they carried were sold in Australia while 160 CDs were snapped up out of a consignment of 332. Macheso said he would be going to South Africa next week to work out modalities to ensure that his DVD, Live in Jo'burg, reaches the local market without delay. "I am going to South Africa after my Welcome Shows this weekend and I will map the way forward with my recording company -- Mobile Music Trust - so that we do no starve our fans kudya kwenzeve.

"If it is possible from what I have been planning all along, I will distribute Live in Jo'burg on my own. "We gained experience from Ndezvashe-eh - what is just needed is flighting a lot of ads with selling points for the DVD then we sell it in large quantities," said Macheso.