APRIL 14 2017 – LIKE the trend growing amongst successful Zimbabweans musicians’, children to follow in their parents’ footsteps, Derick Majaivana, Lovemore (Tshuma) Majaivana’s, started at very tender age to sing, just like what his father, who is touted a s one of the best singers to come out of Bulawayo.
But not quite like most kids of musicians, like Ammara Brown, the late Andy Brown’s daughter, Peter Moyo, the late Tongai Moyo’s son and Seymour Mtukudzi, to mention but a few, Derick’s entry into the music industry has a special significance, given the gap created by his father’s abrupt exit from the music industry , more than a decade ago, which has created a deep void for a prominent musician from Southern Zimbabwe (or Matebeleland) .
This void was worsened by the death of Solomon Skhuza, leaving most southerners especially the older generation, with having to listen to music from the younger generation or from Mzansi.
“Well I basically felt for his fans and the gap he left probably, which was probably a contributing factor of trying to fill in that gap by stepping into his shoes, “said the 38 year old Derick, who is also Majaivana’s first born in a family of five more siblings.
“Speaking of musicians in Matebeleland region, I believe we got many musicians who are keeping them entertained, but I think its the style or type of music people miss so much,” explains Derick.
And miss they probably do of Majaivana, with his trademark, short Afro hairstyle belted tunes like Salalini Zinini, Ngifuni Imali, Mkwenyaya among others, in the early 1980’s, through to the early 2 000’s where this reporter last saw the musician in a collabo with Oliver Mtukudzi and Tambuka in Bulawayo’s City Hall.
After that the musician abruptly quit the music industry, with this reporter then bumping into him in the US Texas, where he was then involved in the sending money home business.
Noone seems to know why Majaivana quit and Derrick is tight lipped saying he has no right to speak for his father.
However it is clear that Derick has music in his veins just like his father Majaivana before, whose mother was in the church choir, where his father (Derick’s grandfather was a minister).
His uncle Anderson was also part of the Zulu band, which was Majaivana’s backing band till he left the music industry.
Derrick says his kind of genre is what he calls Zulu Afro jazz and released his first album in Bayamemeza, which features tracks like Tendele, Kudzima Kulindawo in 2013, but he admits was not marketed well especially outside Zimbabwe’s border.
But this has not deterred the musician who is currently working on a second album, which is likely to be released any time soon.
Though maintaining his coyness about talking about his Dad, who will be always known a s one of not only Zimbabwe’s great musicians but an outstanding musician and dancer, who arguably is one of the best to come out of Bulawayo, Derick says despite the distant his father advices him on his musical career.
“You know the father, son kind of talk,” says Derick with a laugh.
A man of very few words, Derrick adds a s a parting shot that something is the offing for Majee fans in South Africa.
“Mzansi is in for a surprise gift of Majee music this year I tell you,” says Derrick with a naughty smile.
When asked to elaborate he says:” A surprise a s in they love this type of music, so for it to avail itself would be a dream come true.” – Patience Rusere
