By Problem Masau
It appears all is not well within Alick Macheso’s camp after he was hit by another wave of resignations by his band members.
Last week, Macheso (pictured below) lost two key members, chanter Jonas Kasamba and drummer Obert Gomba, but more band members have dumped Macheso forcing him to cancel weekend gigs including one which scheduled for Kwekwe.
The band members were not happy with the US$120 they were getting each week while Macheso pocketed the rest. Macheso charges between US$3 000 and US$5 000 a show. Out of the 13 band members at least four have already left while the remaining are yet to decide.
Word doing the rounds is that the members were planning to start their own band. Kasamba and Gomba have already left Macheso while Noel Nyazanda and Donald Gogo are believed to be on their way out.
“Gogo is not happy with the way he was treated over the weekend. Macheso did not want him to play over the weekend at New Life Club. He was absent in Kadoma where Macheso performed. Rhythm guitarist Nyazanda decided to stay behind,” said the source.
He said the new group will comprise Kasamba, Gomba, Zakaria Zakaria and Innocent Mijintu as well as other former Orchestra Mberikwazvo dancers. The resignations have sent Macheso into panic mode and seems not to trust anyone.
“Of late mudhara (Macheso) is not friendly to us. He got wind that Kasamba and company want to raid all the remaining band members including the dancers,” he said. Macheso is fully aware of what is happening behind his back and has given the former members the leeway to do what they want.
“I have heard a lot of people and the media saying Macheso’s whole band left, what kind of a situation is that? Pabatisei ipapo, vaviri ndivo vakafunga kuita zindoga vozozvionera mberi. Jonasi naObert ndivo vakabuda pachena kuti varikuda kumbozorora. Zvisinei, ndakavati vakomana itai zvamafunga, isu tiri veOrchestra Mberikwazvo zvichireva kuti hatimiri.
“Mwari akaona zvakakodzera kuti abvise manhanga akaora pane akanaka. Kana varipachokwadi kuti varikuda kuzorora hazvina kuipa kana vada zveband tinozongoona maposter avemumigwagwa, hazvivanzike,” said Macheso.
Although there are fears that the band might collapse, the sungura maestro is not new to such mishaps. Just last year, popular dancer Franco “Slomo” Dhaka, backing vocalist Elton Muropa and guitarist Noel Nyazanda left Macheso to join Suluman Chimbetu’s Orchestra Dendera Kings.
Nyazanda, however, later changed his decision and rejoined Macheso. After more than a decade of churning out smashing hits, is this the end of Macheso?
The sungura star is known for plucking off raw talent from nowhere and creating stars. After the departure of rhythm guitarist Innocent Mjintu, he introduced the unknown Noel Nyazanda who fitted well into Mjintu shoes.
Also, after the departure of dancer Slomo, Macheso unveiled Selemani “Majuice” Mpochi who has become a darling of many fans. Macheso also left Khiama Boys to form Orchestra Mberikwazvo. The Herald
