By Virginia Njovo
Talented Shona poet Abel Mauchi (49) is a bitter man, saying politicians, promoters and online content creators have been exploiting his talent for nothing, using him only to promote their work while he remains struggling.
Speaking to TellZim News, Mauchi, who is known for performing at political rallies, said in most cases he only got a plate of sadza as payment for his performances despite him leaving people craving for more due to his word-smithing.
“Back home my family would be expecting something tangible from all these activities, but I will go back with empty pockets after being given a plate of sadza, and it is not like they would not have promised to pay. They would always give me a run-around when it is time to pay,” said Mauchi.
The poet said apart from being called for interviews by podcasters and online content creators for nothing in return, politicians who sought his services during campaign periods would still not pay a dime.
“I am treated like I do not exist by politicians when it is not campaign time, and when another campaign period comes, they reach out, use me to make their supporters happy then dump me after,” Mauchi said.
Mauchi has performed at both ruling party and opposition rallies, something he said should not be cause for concern in a country that recognizes art as it is, not attaching partisan titles to what a poet like him does.
“Towards the SADC Summit, I penned a poem titled Karekare, endorsing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s chairmanship but it didn’t go anywhere despite sending it to relevant people whom we trusted to publish it, but in our industry which is full of saboteurs, it did not go anywhere,” said Mauchi.
Mauchi added that artists from Masvingo were being neglected by promoters on events that take place in the province, while they bring in artists from Harare whom they pay easily and expect those from the province to perform for free.
“When artists from Harare come to perform at events organized locally, they are paid handsomely, while local artists like me are considered as last option, with nothing to show for it,” he said.
Mauchi, who calls himself ‘Shefu Mudhesve’ started poetry in 1992 while he was staying in Chitungwiza Seke Unit N, and says he has written over four thousand poems, claiming he can recite over a thousand of them.
