For over two decades the mystery behind the departure from the stage and public space by one of Zimbabwe’s legendary artist Lovemore ‘Majaivana’ Tshuma has drawn many schools of thoughts and conspiracies. To many, his last album Isono Sami is the closest source for answers.

By Plot Mhako, with excerpts from Lovemore ‘Majaivana’ Tshuma documentary by _ ZAZISE

Many journalists have in vain tried to get an interview with the now US based artist and promoters also made frantic efforts to get him to do another show or more. All again in futile attempt.

This week ZAZISE a Bulawayo based media company released a detailed documentary titled The Story of Lovemore ‘Majaivana’ Tshuma. The 19 minutes video narrates the life of the star from his childhood to the time he packed his bags for the diaspora.

A lot of important things are revealed in the process. Earground took time to note some of the key things. Most importantly one of the main reasons why he quit music.

BELOW are excerpts from the doci.

Majaivana was born in Gweru. His father was from Malawi.

He grew in Church. His father was a church minister”

He is a school dropout.

In the early years of his career he did some covers of US rock bands.

He was a once a member of the Jobs Combination named after Jobs Kadengu the owner of the popular Jobs Nite Club in Harare.

In 1980 he performed at the Zimbabwe independence concert alongside Bob Marley.

After breaking off from Jobs Combination, Lovemore Majaivana worked as a milkman at Dairibord for a while.

He formed the Zulu Band and drove to Harare every weekend for years to fulfill gigs in the capital.

“The song Ama thamsanqa -Ngivulele opened doors for me. I bought a house from the sales”

“I lost 2 band members to HIV related illness in a short time,
it was not easy to replace them” Majaivana

“For musicians i dont see hope in my country. We dont have a strong union. The plight of the musicians will remain the same”

ON WHY HE QUIT MUSIC :

He spoke about the economic struggles that him and other musicians faced despite making a name at home and abroad.

“I have been dealt blows below the belt. First of all it was the language that i sang in. It didnt really bring me the fortune that one expects when you look at the other people who sing in the widely known languages.

They get a better share of the profits. Its partly why i left music. Whenever i went to get my cheque, and i saw the other cheques for people who sang in the other languages, they had better cheques than mine. Ok, you might say my music was not better than theirs, and after travelling to places like England, Sweden, Denmark, Canada, we had full houses and here at home it was on tribal lines.” Lovemore Majaivana

The documentary video: