Mapfumo dismisses Mbeki mediation process

By Henry Makiwa
23 November 2007

Legendary Chimurenga musician Thomas Mapfumo has dismissed efforts by South Africa President Thabo Mbeki to broker talks between Zanu PF and MDC as “futile”.

Mapfumo said the Zimbabwean crisis required an internal settlement devoid of foreign hands, to achieve a long-term resolution. He said the involvement of the international community only serves to benefit the foreign powers involved.

The Chimurenga maestro is currently on a tour of England to promote his forthcoming album, Exile. The UK tour is Mapfumo’s first in over two years after problems with obtaining visas for himself and his Blacks Unlimited band. He performs in Leicester on Friday and London’s Stratford Rex arena the following night.

Mapfumo said: “Mbeki is only taking part in these talks because he wants his country to benefit from the cheap labour Zimbabweans give South Africa when they flee from their country’s economic crisis. He knows Zimbabwe’s suffering is South Africa’s gain. The onus and right for self-liberation remains in the hands of Zimbabweans themselves. We are the one who live in that country, see the suffering. It is up to us to free ourselves. It is not a matter of who is better Mugabe or Tsvangirai; to me they are both as bad. You can’t trust a politician.”

Speaking from his Leicester hotel, Mapfumo exclusively told us that plans of a long-awaited collaboration with Oliver Mtukudzi, that fans have been craving for, is on the cards. He said discussions between his representative, Al Green and Mtukudzi’s manager Sam Mataure were already in progress.

Mapfumo’s Chimurenga music has won him international acclaim and secured his legacy at home. Mukanya, as his fans call him, now lives in the United States in exile. Much of his music has been banned by Zimbabwean authorities because it is seen as critical of the government.