THEY say everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.
But in some situations, tribulations seem permanent despite the hope for better fortunes.
Once a household name in the vibrant sungura genre, he is facing a tumultuous period in his life and career.
And for a very long period of time, he has been finding it hard to make ends meet despite all the yesteryear fame.
Known for his soulful voice and captivating stage presence, whose music once resonated with fans across the country, earning him a reputation as one of the leading sungura artistes of his generation, if he passes by, chances are high that you may not recognise him.
However, behind the spotlight, he is struggling with personal and professional challenges that have threatened to silence his voice forever.
From financial struggles to old age, the singer has been beset by hardships that have forced him to confront the harsh realities of life beyond the fame and adoration of his fans.
As he navigates this difficult chapter in his life, his story serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of success and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.
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Such is the life of Patrick Mukwamba, a musician who mesmerised revellers in the 1980s and 1990s with hit songs which were played on radio stations and bars like the national anthem.
Many will remember such songs as Wapenga Nayo Bonus, Mombe Yehumai, Zvinonaka Zvinodhura, Dai Ndiri Shiri and Usambonyara Basa Rako, just to mention but a few.
Mukwamba gained popularity during his short stint with the Four Brothers.
Despite channelling out hit after hit and being a household name then, today, his life is nowhere near rosy.
His state is quite touching and calls for God’s intervention.
The 78-year-old musician, now based in Rusape, is surviving from hand to mouth.
He is ekeing out a living by selling compact discs of his music in the picturesque town.
“I survive on selling my musical CDs to motorists and passersby for US$1 in Rusape. My situation is not pleasing at all. In a day, I sometimes get between US$2 and US$7 and such meagre amounts are supposed to cater for my daily basic needs.
“On some occasions, I do menial jobs, whereby I work in gardens in my neighbourhood in order to make ends meet,” the man behind the Wapenga Nayo Bonus hit told NewsDay Weekender.
“When the business of selling CDs in town is low, I also go about picking up scrap metals and then go on to sell it to get some money, but the returns are very low.
“For the past 12 years, I have stayed at a house where I live for free after a Good Samaritan came to my rescue. He offered me a place to stay and in return, I have to look after his house with care.
“After spending a tiresome day scorched by the searing heat from the sun with almost nothing to show for my sweat, I just go home and buy a plate of sadza and a 2-litre Super Chibuku beer. I then go to sleep as early as 6pm.”
Mukwamba feels that he has had many promises from different people both church, traditional and even politicians who have said they will help him be cleansed of the bad luck (bvuri), but very few have come upfront.
Those who have tried have not brought joy to the troubled former sungura artiste.
“I have met so many people who have promised to help solve my problems. I once sought the help from a vapostori prophet in Bocha, Manicaland province, where I stayed for 26 days, who prophesied that I have bad luck, which is caused by my late wife such that I cannot do anything meaningful in my life. I left the prophet’s shine after noticing that there was no change to my problems,” he said.
“I also consulted so many traditional healers and the story being told is the same, but to date, I have not seen any change in my life.”
Mukwamba added: “Some time last year, I went to a Johanne Masowe eChishanu prophet in Highfield, Harare, at Madzibaba Moses’ shrine, where I was told the same prophecy and they assisted with money to buy food and clothes.
“However, what they gave me was not what I really wanted as I feel I am still a force to reckon with in the music industry if this bad luck is cast out from me. I feel I can make a hit out of the songs [album] I have which, I cannot record because nothing will work due to this bad luck.”
He further poured out his soul: “While I was selling CDs, I met a gentleman who sympathised with me being a vendor yet I released great hits. We exchanged contact details so that he would take me to the United Family International Church, where he worships, but since, then his cellphone has gone unanswered.
“I still hope one day, I will meet United Family International Church leader Emmanuel Makandiwa. Maybe my problems will be solved.”
Mukwamba, who at his age is supposed to be spending time with his family and grandchildren, cannot afford that luxury.
He has completely lost contact with all his children and does not even know how they are living or where exactly they are living.
“I have three children, Persie [49 years], Linda [46 years] and Rudo [42 years]. I only got to know they went to South Africa in 2002. I heard Persie [who is into computers] is married. I don’t even know his wife and children, while the girls Linda is into catering and Rudo [not sure of her profession] and they [girls] are not yet married.
“I have not received any call from them and I don’t know how they are doing down south. The last time I saw them [girls], they asked me why they were not getting married,” he said.
Although Mukwamba is having problems, he has a house in Unit K, Seke, Chitungwiza, which is occupied by a step daughter.
He has vowed not to go back to his house since the day he divorced his late wife until he is cleansed.
“I have a house in Chitungwiza which is occupied by my step daughter and I will not set my foot there until the bad luck is removed from me,” he said.
“I have heard from some neighbours there that the furniture I bought was thrown away. I guess there aren’t any of my belongings.”
Mukwamba recalls vividly how all the problems he is into began.
“I remember very well in 1987 when one of my band members, a drummer, fell in love with my wife. I got wind of the affair. When I confronted her, she declared that I should leave the house instead.
“I had to leave the Chitungwiza house fearing for my life. My wife then vowed that wherever I go or anything that I try to do will never work for the whole of my life,” he said.
“From that day, I have been trying to move on with my life, but all things just go the opposite direction and up to this day, her words still haunt me. I have tried everything to make things work, but to no avail.”
“I tried to check with the Zimbabwe Music Rights Association for my music royalties, only to discover they had only US$28. My problems are endless. I can tell you that I even go for a month without receiving a call on my mobile phone. Now I use it as a torch at night in these days of power cuts.
“I feel very lonely and I last had a girlfriend in January 2022.”
As he stands amid the ruins of his once-thriving music career, Mukwamba gazes out at the horizon, scarred but unbroken.
The trials and tribulations that have beset him have left an indelible mark.
With a resolute heart, Mukwamba vows to soldier on, to pick up the pieces of his shattered dreams and to rebuild.
The music that once flowed from his soul like a river will flow again, stronger and more resilient than ever, he believes.
One day, he hopes to summon the ancient rhythms of his ancestors and to let them guide him on this journey of cleansing and rebirth.
