Published by the government of Zimbabwe
30 August 2008
Harare — Upcoming sungura artiste, Joseph Garakara, who is diabetic, has made a quiet comeback on the music scene.
Garakara said this week that he resumed live shows last month and is working on a new album.
"I am now ok and I am doing my things like anyone else. I bought a machine which I use for testing sugar levels on my own but I am now fit and I have since resumed live shows which I started late July," he said.
The 2006 Zima-award winner and Nama nominee assured his fans that he would strive to keep them entertained adding that he was currently mixing his forthcoming album, Chamboko Chewaya.
"After people listen to the album, that is when they will agree that I am now back to normal. If all goes well, the album, which is being recorded by Gramma Records, will be out in two weeks time accompanied by a DVD," he said.
The musician advised fellow musicians and people in general to immediately seek professional medical advice and attention once they realise that their health was not in stable condition.
"Everyone in life encounters challenges such as my sickness but the most important thing is to seek professional advice and attention.
"One should also learn to be resilient, to put the incident behind them, spring back and progress as if nothing had happened before," he said.
The musician also took time to speak about the current economic environment, which he feels is making it very difficult to earn a living from live music shows and sales.
"The current economic environment is severely affecting most business ventures including music. Our shows are no longer as rewarding as they used to be. Much of the time, we play in remote areas that require fuel, putting up posters among other things and all these require money.
"In the meantime we are relying on shows arranged by promoters but one disadvantage with such shows is that the promoters normally pocket the maximum profits while we have to make do with a little money from which we have to pay our band members."
Meanwhile, sungura artiste, Tongai Moyo is yet to decide on the title for his new album due for release before the end of the year although he has all but finalised on the contents.
Popularly known as Dhewa, Tongai is using live shows to acquaint his fans with offerings from his new album.
Today Tongai will be making a return to Chitungwiza, long regarded as his bogey town, for a joint show with new king of dendera music -- Suluman Chimbetu at Chipaz, Makoni Shopping Centre.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 The Herald. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
