"Im Not MDC" - Tongai Moyo

Gweru, June 28, 2010 - Sungura Maestro Tongai Moyo has dismissed assertions by some elements of the society that he was an Movement for Democratic Change activist because of his performances at the party’s activities and the recent visit by the party's leader and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai when his second wife died last month.

Speaking in an exclusive interview after his performance at the memorial of the late MDC-T senator for Gweru Chirumhanzu Patrick Kombai in Gweru on Sunday Tongai Moyo said he was apolitical in his music business.

Kombai died in June last year after a futile battle with resurfaced effects of injuries incurred from Zanu (PF) gunshots in the 1990s.

“I have never used politics in music business. I have never missed any Miss Tourism and national Galas, which to many are Zanu (PF) activities and no questions have been raised to that effect. This is purely business and it’s not me who initiate these shows. I am usually invited because of my popularity and most of these events are organised by my manager who would then inform me of the dates and venues.

“Performing  at such events as memorial services  like  the  one  here is  part  of  our  traditional culture of “kubata maoko”.In Shona people are expected to show  their condolences to the bereaved family even if  they  had  not known each  other,” he said.

Other artists who performed at the memorial service of the late Gweru Businessman's Midlands hotel included Alan Chimbetu, Josphat Somanje and Winky D.

Tongai Moyo last year also performed at the memorial service of Prime Minister’s late wife Susan in Buhera.

Tsvangirai last month visited his (Moyo) Kwekwe home and expressed his  heart felt condolences at the death of the musician's second wife, Barbra, who committed suicide because Moyo wanted to get a third wife.

“I have known the Prime minister’s family for a long time and performing at his late wife’s memorial or any other functions related to him has nothing to do with my political affiliation. In fact I do not segregate when it comes to music performances,” he added.