By HRH Princess Eugene Majuru, Princess of Harare
BIRMINGHAM, UK ( News of The South) — A major chapter in African music is coming to a close as Chimurenga music icon Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo prepares to perform for the very last time. After a groundbreaking career spanning over five decades and global performances that placed Zimbabwean culture on the world stage, Mapfumo has confirmed that he will be officially hanging up the microphone.
During a moving press conference held in Birmingham ahead of his farewell concert, News of the South had the opportunity to speak directly with the legendary musician. When asked how he would like to be remembered and whether fans can expect a biography, Mapfumo revealed that a book chronicling his life and career is currently in the works, co-authored with his daughter.
“Yes, we are working on a biography. There’s a lot to share — not just about the music, but the culture, the struggles, and the journey,” Mapfumo said with a reflective tone.
The upcoming book promises to be a rich and compelling chronicle, detailing Mapfumo’s formative years, his political activism through music, his experiences in exile, and his eventual return to Zimbabwe and the world stage. Given his influential role during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and his continued advocacy for social justice, the biography is expected to offer rare insight into the intersection of music, politics, and African heritage.
A Cultural Giant Bows Out
Widely regarded as the pioneer of Chimurenga music—a genre that fuses traditional Shona sounds with messages of political resistance and cultural pride—Mapfumo has left an indelible mark on Zimbabwean society. His voice became the soundtrack to revolution, a rallying call for justice, and a celebration of identity.
Songs like “Chiruzevha Chapera,” “Shumba,” “Gwindingwi Rine Shumba,” “Hanzvadzi,” and “Corruption” became anthems not just in Zimbabwe, but in African diasporas around the world. Other notable classics include:
“Tumirai Vana Kuhondo”
“Pfumvu Paruzevha”
“Mamvemve”
“Nyoka Musango”
“Jojo”
“Disaster”
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