State security sabotage the sale of Mapfumo’s ‘Rise Up’ album

By Lance Guma
09 January 2006

The increasing popularity of Thomas Mapfumo’s latest CD, ‘Rise Up’ has worried government authorities enough for them to begin trying to sabotage sales of the album. Spinalong, based at Jaggers Woodlands in Bulawayo got a visit from state security agents last week and was told it was not in the best interests of their business to sell the Chimurenga musician’s CD.

Although its not immediately clear whether the campaign is nationwide, it mirrors just how paranoid the government is over plans by the opposition to engage in what they term ‘democratic resistance’. Mapfumo’s album contains songs which encourage Zimbabweans to rise up and remove the current dictatorship.

A song like ‘Kukwarira Mukati’ (hurting inside) talks about passive Zimbabweans who are suffering in silence while the country goes under. ‘Ndogura Masango’ bemoans the brain drain affecting the economy as people seek greener pastures in other countries while ‘Vanofira Chiiko’ asks why people are dying for nothing in Zimbabwe. The album represents the boldest message yet from any musician in the country.

The legendary Chimurenga musician even told BBC journalists at the Eden Project Music festival last year that an armed struggle was now needed to topple Robert Mugabe from power. These comments and the title of his CD, ‘Rise Up’ have led to the banning of his music from state radio and television.

Lionel Saungweme in Bulawayo reports that flea market traders are also very cautious about displaying the album on their vending stalls despite the high demand for the CD. Those selling it are subjected to widespread threats and intimidation and it seems most do not want to risk losing their trading licences.