Harare — Leonard Karikoga Zhakata says he is no longer "chasing after fame" but instead "fortifying on the sound name" he created for himself over the years.

The veteran artiste, who of late has been keeping a low profile, says art should be allowed to "speak for itself with eloquence" while its practitioners watch from a distance.

Zhakata feels fame should not be measured by the "acres of space" some sections of the media afford celebrities. In fact, artistes should let their works make the noise, politely suggested Zhakata.

"I have heard numerous stories about me over the years from self-appointed critics stating that I was finished while others said my fortunes took a terrible wane. "To be honest, I don't know how people came to those conclusions. But as an artiste, I will simply listen to whatever people -- both fans and foes -- say about me because their reactions inspires my art in a big way," he said.

However, Zhakata feels some people, especially his foes, have been misleading his genuine followers on the goings-on at Zimbabwe All Stars -- his backing group.

"Over the years, I have had what I call my loyal followers who always stand with me under thick and thin. "In short, I am saying those that follow me and my music are the ones in the right position to judge me positively," he said.

Quizzed on reports making rounds that he switched into protest music, Zhakata clarified:

"That issue of me doing some praise-singing for or about a certain political party or people have been said before. But the truth about me is that I am not a politician but an artiste who simply do what he is capable of -- singing.

"Whether people will believe me or not, I will remain an artiste. Of course when I do my compositions, I will be expecting some feedback like what is happening. "Like any other art form, people are entitled to their opinions and I can't stop them from interpreting my stuff the way they like and feel.

Zhakata, who was recently deserted by two band members - dancer Gibson Chisoni and a guitarist who jumped ship to join Sulumani Chimbetu - added:

"When that issue came up, some people blew it out of proportion as if the whole band had left me. "To me, the departure of those guys was a non-event because the band is still intact. If I may tell you the truth, I am proud to see some people we have worked with before joining other people. "In a way, when a band member leaves, he creates a vacancy for others that might have been itching to refine their art with us." With more that 10 polished albums to his credit, Zhakata believes nothing has changed in terms of the returns he used to get in music.

"We are not going to easily throw in the towel no matter what people say about our stuff. "As an artiste, I have a mission to inspire people with my stuff. Their interpretations of my music will not deter me to keep on doing my work. Instead I will keep on singing and I know my followers will always rally behind me," he said.

Zhakata -- whose career spans over two decades - boasts of an impressive discography that takes him down memory lane when he used to play together with the late Thomas Makion.

To date, he enjoys enormous success with his 15th album Tine Vimbo. He says another album will be coming soon and they are currently putting some final touches on it.