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By Lovemore Chazingwa
Sungura music exponent, Simon Mutambi has sent tongues wagging on social media platforms as well as on the streets when he crafted a poster marketing his upcoming Uchataura Zvese album outreach family show at Kamwaza Beer Hall in Raffingora this Sunday.
The poster boldly screams out to the public that fans do not only need cash but, can exchange the staple maize as a currency to join the fun.
The lofty poster has its section on admission fee emblazoned CC, short for cover charge.
Further, the musician has arguably considered the plight of a rural following footnoting with a cheeky, “Bring one bucket of maize (chibage).”
The show, so much talked about for its maize grain attraction instead of the calibre of musicians on duty, begs music lovers in the farming community to consider barter trade for entry.
However, it boggles the mind how a musical show that is to be held at a beer hall can be dubbed a ‘family show’.
One comment on the new payment method observes, “This goes to lay bare the desperate efforts by musicians to rally fans to attend their shows in numbers.”
Another response opines, “It’s the work of a creative musician who knows the waters he is fishing in. It’s possible for him to leave with truckloads of grain after the show.”
The Cobra Kings frontman has roped in little-known Martin Hwindingwi who leads Hwindingwi Boys, understandably to grind a convincing show.
The manner in which Mutambi has marketed his show speaks volumes of how Zimbabwean musicians are also feeling the brunt of the economic squeeze, forcing them to come up with innovative ways to stay afloat.
Covid-19-induced lockdowns that restricted movement and gathering have not saved their situation.
This one by Mutambi somewhat beats them all as he has smelt the coffee to next-level thinking. From obtaining art economics, he has decided to, in a way, speak to the community in a language they best understand.
Mutambi is blazing a new trail.
It’s a shrewd way to call upon the community to bring what they can easily access.
Conversely, road runner chickens can be the next product on the line.
In as much as the outside world can laugh off the ‘innovation’, considering social media comments, lads in and around Raffingora are sure to welcome the move with open arms.
On his part, Mutambi has eyed an opportunity to amass a grain commodity that he can then trade for cash or barter for another desired product.
Located in Mashonaland West province, Raffingora is famous for farming activities with products such as grains, cotton, and tobacco harvested in considerably high quantities that side of the farming region each season.