US–based musician, Thomas Mapfumo has announced his return to Zimbabwe for what he says will be his final public performance, as he prepares to retire from live shows.
The Chimurenga musician said he is preparing to take the stage for the last time in his illustrious career, which has spanned more than five decades, with a farewell performance scheduled for April, in Harare.
Speaking from the US, Mapfumo called on Zimbabweans to attend the show.
“Ndati ndikutaurirei kuti ndiri kuuya kumusha, kuzoonekedzana. I will continue being involved in music, though I will no longer perform on stage. This will be my final show in Zimbabwe while I am still alive,” he said.
He appealed to his fans and Chimurenga lovers to put politics aside and join hands to celebrated his long musical journey while bidding farewell to his Zimbabwean fans.
“Isu tiri munhu wevanhu, ndinoda kuti vanhu vese vabatane. Inga tiri vanhu vamwe chete. Huyai kubira guru rekupedzisira raMukanya, tichionekedzana. Come witness Mukanya’s final grand performance,” he said.
Mapfumo, who has lived in the United States for several years, described this show as a closing chapter in his musical career.
He rose to prominence in the 1970s, using his music as a tool for political expression during the liberation struggle.
After independence, he also remained an influential and often controversial figure, known for his outspoken views on governance and social issues.
Organisers are yet to release full details regarding the venue, ticketing, and supporting acts, but the confirmation of the April show has already generated widespread interest among fans and within the music industry.
Mapfumo has since held farewell performances abroad, including a show at New Bingley Hall in Birmingham, United Kingdom, in August 2025, and another at the Newtown Music Factory in Johannesburg, South Africa, in December 2025, as part of his final stage appearances.
