By Tafadzwa Chigandiwa
Washington Chokumanyara has not had an easy life, at the age of 6 he was plagued by measles which robbed him of his sight.
In an interview with Bustop TV, he explained how as an artist he has struggled to make ends meet amid the Covid-19 pandemic that has robbed most of their livelihoods.
He has sired ten children with his wife who is also blind.
“Nonetheless after losing my sight I saw the bright side to my disability venturing into music as first as a hobby then a new found passion that would define my existence.
“I formed a local vibrant band in Gokwe which held various gigs in pubs, roadshows and concerts, earning a decent wage.
“Things are hard in Zimbabwe because of our ailing economy but before the novel COVID 19 pandemic hit Zimbabwe I was managing to fend for my blind wife and our ten children.”
Of his ten children, the eldest is the only one employed as Aleck Macheso’s guitarist.
“I am currently taking care of five children while the other five are now adults fending for themselves, however, my first born is the only that is formally employed as a guitarist for Aleck Macheso the maestro of Sungura Music.”
Due to the lock down restrictions musicians locally have struggled to generate income.
Album launches and concerts have since been banned as a move to curb the spread of the corona virus in large gatherings.
“In March 2020 when the ministry of health announced a national lock-down, it prompted a series of unfortunate events that made the bright side of things become blurry as I found myself in a difficult predicament where the new normal Covid-19 regulations prohibited me to hold gigs.
“I was no longer generating income, and my family is literally starving to death, had it not been for relatives, friends and well wishers who came to my family’s needed rescue, who provided us with food and clothing.
Government in its efforts to mitigate the severe effects of the Covid 19 pandemic has been inconsistently availing monthly RTGS$600 (equivalent to USD 6) which honestly does not cater for my family’s needs.
In this new normal financial challenges are the order of the day.
“I am actually financially constrained to even buy instruments and record my music worthy to played on air to access royalties.
“Two years ago I recorded my 8 track debut album, titled “Kutenda kusina mabasa”.
“In Zimbabwe it is difficult to find your music being played on air if you are not prominent and well connected.
“Also being a rural folk that is disenfranchised from electricity and the internet, I once again find myself in a difficult position were I cannot migrate and advertise my music on social media.”
