It is hard to ignore Jah Prayzah’s music in this era of
political transition in the country. His songs, especially “Kutonga Kwaro”, are
being played everywhere.
Every revolution is oiled by music that resonates with
winds of change and Jah Prayzah’s album “Kutonga Kwaro”, which was released 43
days ago, has dovetailed with the greatest political development since the
country’s independence – the resignation of Cde Robert Mugabe.
When the title of the album was announced a few weeks
before its release, some social media users extended the name to “Kutonga Kwaro
Garwe” in connotative reference to now-President-designate Cde Emmerson
Mnangagwa.
Garwe or Ngwena (crocodile) is Cde Mnangagwa’s moniker and
that time in September when Jah Prayzah’s album was linked to him – even before
people heard the lyrics – the intention was not sincere, but it has turned out
to be the greatest prophecy of our time. “The Crocodile” is getting the
Presidential throne today and those who say Jah Prayzah is a spirit medium
could be right after all. He saw it coming.
Although the musician maintains that the relationship
between political developments and his lyrics is a mere coincidence, the
synchronisation of the two creates a high point of interest, especially with
the fact that “Kutonga Kwaro” came after another suggestive album title “Mdhara
Vachauya”.
“Mdhara Vachauya” means “a respected elder will come” and
it was Jah Prayzah’s 2016 album. That album was also given a political
interpretation with people questioning who the elder would be.
So, if last year Jah Prayzah told us that a respected elder
would come and this year announced the arrival of a hero, how best can we
describe the musician?
Some have concluded that he was deliberately fighting in
Cde Mnangagwa’s corner while those who believe in the power of the creative
world suggest that Jah Prayzah indeed has a gift of foresight and his
insinuations should never be taken lightly.
Whichever side one
chooses to take, the truth is that Jah Prayzah was on point and saw today’s
events when some people did not believe it would happen while others actually
vowed that it would never happen. Today it is happening when Cde Mnangagwa will
be sworn in as the country’s President.
As Jah Prayzah foresaw in 2016, mudhara vazouya and as he
declared 43 days ago, kwave kutonga kwaro gamba (or Garwe, to be precise). It
is obvious that Jah Prayzah’s music will dominate the celebrations as it did
during that historic march to State House last Saturday.
The song “Kutonga Kwaro” was an anthem during the march and
some who did not follow Jah Prayzah’s music “repented” on the day. Although the
album was steadily doing well on its own, the current political change has
catapulted it to dizzy heights.
Jah Prayzah now has more admirers and he has become a hero
of the revolution. In the heat of factional wars in Zanu-PF, Jah Prayzah became
a target of the G40 as some in that sect openly castigated him for pushing Cde
Mnangagwa’s agenda through his music.
Some people even
claimed that a series of attacks on Jah Prayzah last month were instigated by
the G40. Whether it is true or not, it is a fact that Jah Prayzah would not be
celebrating the way he is doing now if G40 had succeeded in flooring Cde
Mnangagwa.
His world was slowly
crumbling around him and when this writer phoned him a few days after last
month’s attacks, he said he was taking a breather in his rural area and seeking
guidance from his father. He was apparently sensing danger.
Jah Prayzah was welcomed Thursday afternoon by hundreds of
fans at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport as he landed from
Australia where he had been on tour.
Jah Prayzah was welcomed Thursday afternoon by hundreds of
fans at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport as he landed from
Australia where he had been on tour.
But this week’s picture is completely different. Jah
Prayzah reportedly stole the limelight in South Africa on his way from
Australia and a mega welcome party was planned for him yesterday as he flew
back home. His fans organised a party to welcome their hero.
His manager Keen Mushapaidze on Wednesday posted a picture
on Facebook celebrating the new era. Indeed, Jah Prayzah is a hero in this transition.Like
many other musicians before him that include Simon Chimbetu, Thomas Mapfumo,
Cde Chinx and LMG Choir that were credited for boosting morale during the
liberation struggle, Jah Prayzah has been lauded for music that has united
people in the dawn of a new era.
Meanwhile, the musician has planned a celebratory show set
for Harare International Conference Centre tonight. The show was hastily
organised and announced yesterday as the musician arrived back home from his
international tour. His camp said they would celebrate with their fans at the
giant events facility that is expected to be packed to capacity.
Jah Prayzah received a great welcome as he arrived in
Harare and he is likely to be greeted with similar honour when he goes on stage
tonight and the song “Kutonga Kwaro” will definitely be the track of the
celebrations. herald
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