Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Trust Khosa
11 July 2009
Harare — JOSPHAT Somanje and Alick Macheso are certainly a match made in hell!
Almost a fortnight after their intended first clash failed to materialise at Harare Gardens, where Josphat turned up without his instruments, their second scheduled meeting has now been put off.
And from the looks of things, they will never clash again - at least, not this year.
Macheso and Josphat were set to clash at Globe Trotter Motel in Harare, an open air joint, tonight as witnessed on posters for the show plastered all over the place. But Josphat was this week dropped from the programme after he decided to arrange his own show in Karoi - also tonight.
Progress Chipfumo has since been called up as Josphat's replacement, signalling what might be a fall-out between Macheso and Josphat.
Following the botched Harare Gardens clash, it emerged that a well-known promoter, now handling Josphat's affairs, is against the Haulume hit-maker sharing the stage with Macheso.
The "new management" would rather have Josphat perform as the main attraction in smaller towns and farming areas where the audience may not be too demanding in terms of stage performance.
William Tsandukwa, Macheso's band manager, said they were left without an option once Josphat indicated he had another show planned for Karoi tonight.
"There was nothing we could do after Josphat said he has another engagement in Karoi on the same night. Of course, the authorities at Globe Trotter Motel had asked us to clash with Josphat, but he has other ideas. We can't force him," said Tsandukwa.
But he was quick to dismiss reports of a major fallout between Macheso and Josphat.
"There is nothing like that. We are ready to work with anyone. We are business-minded, but no-one can hold us at ransom."
Meanwhile, Alick Macheso is scheduled to perform in the US and Canada next month. Macheso and Orchestra Mberikwazvo are to spend two weeks in the US from the last week of August to the first week of September.
Derrick Shonhiwa is organising the shows and Macheso is hoping the organisers learnt from the mistakes they made during his maiden visit there last year.
"We have been afforded another rare chance to perform in the USA," he said. "We feel honoured once again and its encouraging to note that the guys still have faith in us."
As a result of this tour, Macheso said his band planned to release its eighth album before the North American trip.
"By the time we leave, I believe the album would be out. This means that our fans in the US will also have a chance to sample our brand-new stuff there," he said.
***Comedian-cum-musician Kapfupi this week distanced himself from the Harare Gardens fiasco of two weeks ago when Josphat Somanje failed to perform after turning up WITHOUT instruments.
There had been indications that Kapfupi refused to give Josphat his instruments "for fear of losing out as Macheso's curtain raiser in future shows."
However, Kapfupi said he was not there when confusion reigned at Harare Gardens adding that he does not own any equipment.
"I'm a very small boy in music and I don't own any equipment, I actually hire a kit each time I have a show.
"By the time I arrived at Harare Gardens Josphat had already left and the promoter, Chris Musabayana actually proposed that I take over Josphat's slot but I could not.
"I would have wanted to watch Josphat perform and to say I refused to give him instruments is unfortunate," said Kapfupi.
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