Tafadzwa Zimoyo — Entertainment Editor
Mereki is one of Harare's most popular entertainment joints, famed for its culinary delights.
Despite it being an unassuming and not-so-fancy place, some of the capital's prominent people trickle to the Warren Park haven of entertainment, especially during weekends.
Amid the hullabaloo of screeching vehicle tyres, dust, swarm of touts chasing after clients, and the spiralling smoke from braai stands, there is a man who has been dealt a bad hand by life.
Yesteryear rhumba musician Peter Tangwena, once popular for his music and fancy dressing, is now a pale shadow of himself after falling on hard times.
With a wife and three children looking up to him, Tangwena, has resorted to making a living out of selling music CDs, car chargers, adapters, sunglasses and computer cables among others.
And, who buys CDs these days?
Very few people indeed, as they have been overtaken by technology. The few who buy from him do so merely out of sympathy
Actually, this is not new considering that he has been vending at the place since the early 2000s, when his fortunes began to wane.
He, however, says his situation is now worse than before.
Wearing his three-quarter shorts, a faded T-shirt, a poor-boy cap and rafters, he is now a pale shadow of himself.
"Those flashy clothes, some became too small. I donated some to friends while I sold others. I told myself that I had to adjust to this new lifestyle. No more fancy suits and watches, I am now the boy next door," he laughed.
Many will remember him as the guy who was the face of flamboyance in entertainment circles years back as he would be seen in a convoy of latest posh vehicles.
If it was in Hollywood, he would probably be in the league of P Diddy and his Bad Boy Records crew.
Sadly that lifestyle never lasted as Tangwena and his Starlight Musica group's outfits just vanished into thin air.
Is there still room for Tangwena to go back to the studio?
The "Pamuchato Wamukoma," hitmaker confirmed that although he is facing difficulties, he yearns to go back on stage.
"After the accident in Mutare in the early 2000s that affected my band and in which my equipment was destroyed, I resorted to selling CDs to sustain my life. Journalists once wrote that, but my situation is now worse than before.
"I am failing to feed my family, to give them the life that they deserve. I can say I am poor and struggling now. I have three kids and they are in school; I am now selling computer cables and it is difficult, people are not buying."
Tangwena has attempted to hold shows, but promoters shunned him.
"I am still in the game when it comes to music, but it is hard to do shows as most promoters are shunning me.
"Sometimes I do perform here at Mereki for free and usually get a token of appreciation. I was last in the studio 18 years ago. I need instruments so that I can record and host shows. I tried hiring, but the charges are too high. I can't manage."
"My wife doesn't go to work; I am the breadwinner. I wake up early in the morning to go to the CBD and buy goods for resale. Business is very low. I had no cellphone for the past few weeks. I am happy I managed to acquire one, but it is not a smartphone and I can't go on WhatsApp as I wanted to sell my music on social media. I can't retire from music yet."
The 67 year-old musician said he had written more than 60 songs so far in his spare time.
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"Music is therapeutic. I have written more than 60 songs during my spare time and all of them were inspired by societal settings. Depression and stress is real but I console myself with music. I just want to record and prove that I am back in the game."
If he is not going to the CBD to buy goods for resale, Tangwena said his daily routine includes a morning jog and assisting his children with school work.
Despite his economic situation, he still has the voice to sing and to shout for customers.
A cursory glance at him shows that he is still the same Tangwena, but he now leads a different life. He paid tribute to his wife for her love and support during these difficult times.
"She has been there for me, for good, better or worse. When my financial status improves, I promise to do something big for her. For now love is the greatest of them all."
