Legendary Chimurenga musician Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo gave his final performance on UK soil last night, leaving fans both inspired and emotional as he officially bowed out of the international stage.
The historic concert, hosted at New Bingley Hall and put together by Phab Entertainment Promotions, was more than just a show it was a celebration of a lifetime of music that carried both rhythm and resistance.
Fans from across Britain gathered to honor a man whose art stood as the soundtrack of Zimbabwe’s liberation and its post-independence struggles.
Mukanya sat down with journalists at a lively press conference moderated by broadcaster Ezra Sibanda, where he looked back on his journey of over 50 years in music, sharing reflections on exile, politics, and his enduring love for his homeland.
The concert lineup featured performances from younger artists including Tocky Vibes, Lindsay Chamangura Ngura, and Kurai Makore, who hailed Mapfumo as a towering influence. Their tributes underlined the generational bridge Mukanya built a reminder that his music continues to shape Zimbabwe’s cultural identity even as he exits the stage.
However, one notable absence caught the attention of fans Selmor Mtukudzi, daughter of the late Oliver Mtukudzi, was missing from both the pre-event press engagements and the concert itself. With many having hoped for a symbolic “Mukanya and Tuku families” moment, her absence drew murmurs of disappointment among followers.
Still, the night belonged to Mapfumo. As he belted out classics, the crowd responded with thunderous sing-alongs, waving flags and raising fists in a show of unity and gratitude. For many, it was a night of closure the end of an era marked by protest songs that spoke truth to power.
By the time the final notes faded, there was no doubt that Thomas Mapfumo’s legacy had been secured. His music may be retiring from UK stages, but his message will echo wherever Zimbabweans gather in song and spirit.
