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Simbarashe Mutizwa Showbiz Reporter
AFRO-JAZZ musician Jeys Marabini has urged Bulawayo fans to support local artistes who he says play a part in preserving the city’s culture.Speaking after a performance at the just ended Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo at the wekeend, Marabini said the country had a rich culture which needed artistes to educate the younger generation on through song and dance.

“I believe artistes play a big part in upholding our strong Ndebele tradition and culture through music and dance. We have a rich culture that needs artistes to use music and dance to share to it wth the young ones,” Marabini said.

Born Majahahodwa Ndlovu, Marabini said though they tried to uphold culture through music, it was not easy as locals were shunning them.

“As we share our music with people, it is significant that we get support from our fans as this is what we depend on as artistes.
“It’s unfortunate that locals are not supporting our music and shows, a factor that will not only make us lose our culture, but will also demoralise artistes,” Marabini said.

The Filabusi-born artiste said as a result of lack of support, most artistes from the city were now relocating to other cities where they seemed to be appreciated more.

“People in Bulawayo should make it a tendency to support their own local artistes because we feel the support is not enough. Locals should attend our shows in order to motivate the musicians,” he said.

The afro-jazz musician said he found it disheartening that people in Bulawayo preferred to support international artistes compared to local ones.

“People in Bulawayo prefer to go and pay to support international stars more than they would for local stars. I have been to shows where I have seen local artistes being booed off the stage when an international artiste is in town, this is so sad,” he said.

He said the other challenge which Bulawayo faced was the lack of a paying audience.

“As artistes, our main source of income is from shows where we perform.  Bulawayo lacks a paying audience, something we hope will change. If those who attend shows start paying, then this will certainly improve the quality of music and also boost our artistes’ careers.”

Marabini said artistes such as Oliver Mtukudzi, Sulumani Chimbetu and Jah Prayzah were fortunate as they were highly supported in Harare and other cities, with their shows being attended by a paying audience – something which has seen them rising.

The artiste who has over 20 years in the music industry acknowledged that he had grown from strength to strength due to the support he had been receiving over the years.

“Marabini has come a long way and has grown from strength to strength through the support that I am receiving from my fans,” he said.