I won’t condemn Mugabe: Sizzla
by
13/01/2011 00:00:00
REGGAE star Sizzla Kalonji has insisted that he will not condemn the President Robert Mugabe and describes the veteran Zimbabwean leader as one of the ‘fathers of Africa’.
The Dry Cry hit-maker spent much of 2010 in Zimbabwe, first arriving in the country in the early part of the year to perform at celebrations marking Mugabe’s birthday causing anger amongst many of the Mugabe’s critics, who felt that Sizzla was wrong to align himself with the man that many deem a dictator.
“I see him as one of my fathers from Africa,” Sizzla says of Mugabe. “He’s part of my nation, the black nation. In all that he’s done – whether it’s good or bad – I hope and pray that it’s for the betterment of the people.”
Mugabe has attracted international opprobrium – particularly in the West – over his empowerment programmes which included the much-criticised land reforms and, lately, the requirement that all foreign-owned companies must localise at least 51 percent of their shareholding.
WHILE Sizzla doesn’t call himself a Mugabe supporter, it’s clear that the Jamaican star supports the President’s supposed desire for black emancipation and empowerment.
But with reports last year claiming that the star had been given land in Zimbabwe by the country’s government caused many to believe that Sizzla was in allegiance with the President.
"Honestly, the government didn’t give me land,” Sizzla explains. “For me, going to Africa isn’t just about going to claim land. It was citizens of Zimbabwe that offered me land – they were like, ‘Sizzla, welcome home. Make use of this land.’
“And I think it’s important that we do that. Zimbabwe is beautiful but it does need a lot of help and that requires people to get involved with farming and also to build on the land to keep the country beautiful and prosperous for future generations.
“[Mugabe] is the ruler right now and he’s an elder to me, so I’m not going to discriminate the president. I believe in repatriation and he must know what is best to make his country a better place. I just hope he continues to do what he believes is best for the people.”
The Jamaican star is effusive about his love for Zimbabwe and the rest of the continent.
“Zimbabwe is beautiful, man. I want the world to see how beautiful all of Africa is. When I see some of the buildings and the designs and the architecture there is in Africa, it excites me to think of the beautiful future the continent could have.”
Sizzla’s passion for the motherland suggested that he plans to make his future stay in Zimbabwe a more permanent one.
“Africa is my home. Jamaica is beautiful but you only have to look at our history to know that black people are from Africa. It’s only because of slavery and of course migration that we’ve ended up all over the world,” he says.
“But our ancestral roots lie in Africa. So it’s important to me to tell the people of the world about Africa and also to spend time in the Motherland.”
Labels: REGGAE, SIZZLA
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Capleton visits Rastafarian shrine
By Problem Masau
Monday, 27 December 2010 19:30
JAMAICAN artiste Capleton yesterday visited the Rastafarian shrine, Dzimbahwe, in Glen Norah and called on African leaders to unite in the fight against neo-colonialism. He also called for the eradication of the perception among some people that Western countries are pacesetters of civilisation.
The shrine was brought to life as hundreds of followers of the Rastafarian religion and fans that thronged the revered place jostled to catch a glimpse of the celebrated reggae musician.
Capleton’s visit coincided with their annual Kwansa Celebration and as a renowned prophet of the Rastafarian religion, Capleton took the opportunity to deliver a sermon and touched on a wide-range of issues.
The dancehall maestro applauded the unity in the country and commended the leadership for moulding citizens into a peace-loving nation.
"I felt unity from the moment I arrived and there was pandemonium at the airport when I arrived, Zimbabweans are warm and they made me feel at home," he said.
"This is a place to reconnect, to restore lost identity and to repatriate. Unity is togetherness as highlighted by the sizeable number of people who gathered here," he said.
Capleton beseeched the leaders in Africa to cultivate and encourage unity and togetherness of the continent saying "this is where the humankind originated".
"We must be determined to fight colonialism and its organs which continuously try to manipulate people into believing that Western countries should be the pacesetters of civilisation. It (civilisation) originated in Africa," said Capleton.
He also took the opportunity to advice youth to abstain from drug abuse and sexual immorality.
"Youths should uphold education as it is one way of emancipation.
"They should learn to work hard and avoid being drug addicts and stop indulging in early sexual activities to combat HIV and Aids," said King Shango as Capleton is popularly known.
Trevor Hall, who is popularly known in music circles as Ras Jabu, also took a swipe western countries which imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe saying the move was meant to counter the country’s self determination and self reliance.
"Our theme for the second day of Kwansa is self determination, as a country we are facing economic embargo because of our quest for self reliance," he said.
Capleton arrived in the country on Wednesday and is due to perform on New Year’s Eve at the Harare International Conference Centre.
He is one of many Jamaican artistes who have put Zimbabwe on the limelight after their successful shows in the country.
Others include King Sounds, T.O.K. Beenie Man and Sean Paul, among others.
Labels: REGGAE
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90s reggae star returns to African roots tonight
In the Summer of 1997-1998 the sounds of pop-reggae darling Finley Quaye could be heard permeating through every bar, car, party and beach gathering. The album was the 23-year-old’s debut release Maverick A Strike, and although it demonstrated a certain longevity, with fans replaying favourite tracks in later years, the musician eventually fell away from the mainstream and into relative obscurity.
But he’s back. Here. In Cape Town, and Joburg.
And the news that Quaye is emerging out of the nineties cultural enclave in which he has rested, bubble-wrapped and packed away, has set facebook updates alight with incredulous nostalgia.
The award winning musician will be performing tonight (Friday) at the Assembly in Cape Town and Tanz Café in Joburg tomorrow and confirmed guests at the Cape Town event lists well over 400, despite the restricted space of the venue.
Quaye comes to our shores after touring Dubai with local artists Simon van Gend and Ross Campbell.
Those who weren’t aware of Quaye by name in the late nineties will undoubtedly recognise the mellow, sun-drenched hits Your Love Gets Sweeter, Sunday Shining and Even After All, characterised by gritty, solid bass-lines and his rasping but delicately sweet vocals above them.
Labels: FINLEY QUAYE, MUSIC, REGGAE, SOUTH AFRICA
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Preach truth about Zim, Luciano urged
Herald Reporter
VISITING Jamaican reggae star Luciano yesterday met the Minister of Environment and Tourism Cde Francis Nhema who urged him to preach the truth about Zimbabwe when he returns to his base.
Luciano who arrived in the country on Tuesday for the Jacaranda Jazz Festival to be held at the City Sports Centre in Harare on Saturday thanked the freedom fighters, for liberating the country.
Addressing a Press conference together with Cde Nhema, Luciano hailed the Government for organising his maiden tour of Zimbabwe and saluted President Mugabe whom he described as a necessity for overcoming Zimbabwe’s challenges.
"I am happy to be taking part at the festival and I would like to thank the freedom fighters, who liberated this country. The job is still on and I wish to continue keeping the spirit higher," he said.
Luciano, who on Tuesday applauded the leadership of President Mugabe, said the country still needs him for the success of its political and economic reforms.
"President Mugabe is a great man. He is still a necessity for this country and we are proud to stand with him," he said.
Luciano thanked Cde Nhema and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority for allowing him to play his yet to be recorded song Zimbabwe Stand Strong at the Press conference.
The song urges Zimbabweans to unite at a time when the nation is facing many challenges.
Cde Nhema said it was an honour to have Luciano in the country for the Jacaranda Jazz Festival.
He also said his ministry would take Luciano to any destination of his choice if he intends to see some of the cultural sites the nation boasts of in order for him to convey the right message.
"It is our honour to celebrate our Jacaranda Festival with you and I hope your eyes will do the talking when you return to Jamaica. If you want to go to Mbare, Highfield or Chitungwiza or any other place of your choice we will make arrangements so that you preach what you would have seen," he said.
The crooner promised to belt out popular songs such as It’s Me Again Jah and Over My Soul among other new compositions at the festival.
Labels: LUCIANO, REGGAE, ZIMBABWE
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