Arts Views with Thabani H Moyo
SOFT SPOKEN, calm and collected is how one might describe ‘Jeys Marabini.’ But inside this man is unquenchable, fiery passion about anything arts.
When he starts talking about arts and the artists he can spend hours delving into the lows and the highs of the arts here at home and abroad.
Jeys is one worth of experience and wisdom when it comes to the arts. He is a well that young artists must seek to drink from. Arts Views had a privilege to have a wide ranging conversation with one of Zimbabwe’s finest musician. Jeys opened his heart and shared a lot in a wide ranging issues.
Growing up in Filabusi, Majahawodwa Ndlovu used to horn his voice as he was herding his father’s livestock. For his father he saw Majahowodwa growing up to be a man who will one day work in the construction industry as a builder, carpenter or an electrician.
“My parents wanted me to do vocational training but I chose music instead,’ reminiscence the music gaffer. In Filabusi Majahawodwa and his friends formed an Imbube outfit Comforting Brothers which would later transform itself to Imbizo when they relocated to Bulawayo.
His love for music will set him on a conflict path with his parents. For them, Jeys had chosen a path that will lead him to unimagined levels of poverty. Every parent want to see their son contribute something into the family welfare. Those who have travelled the road of the arts will tell you how frustrating it is to get home every evening empty handed because your last project did not pay you anything.
“Art is not easy, it needs talent, perseverance, determination and strong character. In the beginning we used to go around the country looking for shows. We went as far as Murambinda. We slept everywhere and in anything, tanks, classroom floors and in buses. In some places they had even given us names. We once slept at a hospital with patients,” recollects the veteran musician.
To make a breakthrough in life and in the arts is not easy. Jeys recalls how his father made him pack his few belongings out of the family house because of his love for music. Instead of that breaking his back instead it made it stronger.
“You just have to believe in what you are doing and value your work,’ advises the music maestro. That is what has made him to persevere where others have packed their instruments and left for other sectors in the country or crossed the border to look for anything that can put food on the table.”
Majahawodwa aka Jeys Marabini will change his parents’ perception of the arts when he left Bulawayo for Filabusi to announce to them that he was embarking on a long trip to London. It shocked his father. ‘My father did not believe it. He even thought we had stolen the money somewhere to finance our trip,” Jeys remembers.
For Jeys, people must not get into arts for wrong reasons. The arts is where you must fight and work to create a name. The name usually follows what you have created and people follow that name. “I never gave myself the name Jeys Marabini. People gave me that name after they fell in love with one of my videos. Emarabini, the video even went on to win the music video of the year. From there I could not shake off the name Jeys Marabini,” says as he celebrates his naming after the music video.
For Jeys no artist is an island. No artist can claim their success without looking at the works of those that went ahead of them. Asked how those who went ahead of him influenced his works he had a profound response.
“Art is like a relay. People like Fanyana Dube and Lovemore Majaivana built the industry for us. They played a pivotal role to shape this industry and we are benefitting from their sweat. Those who went before us worked under the worst conditions. Some of the music they wanted to record was thrown out of the window as they were told their music won’t sell. They were made to sign slave contracts where the recording company took a chunk out of album sells. The situation today is a bit better for us. Those who came after us must also benefit from our contributions,” said Marabini.
One of the times he recollects and celebrates is when he used to stay in Lobengula. He became a darling of the community because of his rehearsals. “I used to rehearse at my backyard. My wife was very supportive as she was a musician herself. Even my neighbours fell in love with my rehearsals as they will sing along from their own yards. If I went for three days without rehearsing they would come knocking at my door checking if all was fine,” he acknowledges.
Jeys has left his footprints all over the world. The countries are too many to mention. Talk of Asia, Europe, the Americas, North and East Africa you will find his footprints. He has shared the stage with the world’s best musicians like Salif Keita, Black Mambazo and many to mention in this article. In his musical journey Jeys Marabini has also stretched a hand to many local artists and acts helping many to cross over to Europe.
One of the disappointments that Jeys has is tribalism that sometimes rears its ugly head during national shows. He has been pelted while performing on stage. What pains him is the silence by government officials when such incidents happen during state events. He longs for a day when every artist will be considered Zimbabwean first but not their tribe. Jeys believes that government and local authorities are not playing ball when it comes to the creative sector.
Artists need government support. Our artists need to be honoured properly.
“We have living legends like Cont Mhlanga, Jonah Moyo and many to mention. Nothing has been done to honour them. Zimbabwe must have its own Hall of Fame, at local authority level and at National level. There is nothing in our cities to show that Zimbabwe has its own artists. Look at the roads and streets. All of them have names of politicians. What about artists?’ inquires the veteran artist?
Jeys Marabini’s upcoming single is something to look up to. Arts Views had a privilege to listen to the single. It is something fresh coming from Jeys. It shows how far one can go when it comes to music diversity. It marks his growth. Stay tuned for it.
For Jeys, arts are the soul of the community. Arts are part of the country’s narrative. Arts are a profession. Arts need support.
and many to mention in this article. In his musical journey Jeys Marabini has also stretched a hand to many local artists and acts helping many to cross over to Europe.
One of the disappointments that Jeys has is tribalism that sometimes rears its ugly head during national shows. He has been pelted while performing on stage. What pains him is the silence by government officials when such incidents happen during state events. He longs for a day when every artist will be considered Zimbabwean first but not their tribe. Jeys believes that government and local authorities are not playing ball when it comes to the creative sector.
Artists need government support. Our artists need to be honoured properly.
“We have living legends like Cont Mhlanga, Jonah Moyo and many to mention. Nothing has been done to honour them. Zimbabwe must have its own Hall of Fame, at local authority level and at National level. There is nothing in our cities to show that Zimbabwe has its own artists. Look at the roads and streets. All of them have names of politicians. What about artists?’ inquires the veteran artist?
Jeys Marabini’s upcoming single is something to look up to. Arts Views had a privilege to listen to the single. It is something fresh coming from Jeys. It shows how far one can go when it comes to music diversity. It marks his growth. Stay tuned for it.
For Jeys, arts are the soul of the community. Arts are part of the country’s narrative. Arts are a profession. Arts need support.
