Paul Matavire
Encyclopedia
Paul Matavire was a blind Zimbabwean musician and songwriter born in Maranda
, Mwenezi District
. He rose to prominence in the 1980s when he joined the Jairos Jiri Band based in Bulawayo
at the Jairos Jiri Rehabilitation Centre. He was then elected to lead the Jairo Jiri Band, as one of Zimbabwe's finest musicians to emerge after the country gained independence from Britain
in 1980. He died at the age 44, in 2005 at his farm in Rutenga
, Masvingo
.
, the Disabled Musicians' Society. They were led by the late Paul Matavire, who was a social worker, and had been left blind by glaucoma
as a child. While Paul's deep lyrics garnered him the nickname of Dr. Love, his songs were also known for their social commentary.
Matavire's music gained popularity due to his humor, the use of rich and deep Shona lyrics, and his willingness to tread on what many regarded sensitive societal issues. His songs touched on anything from religion to marital issues, but still retaining the humor that made it ever so popular. His hit song 'Dhiyabhorosi Nyoka' not only stirred controversy at its release by its reference to the biblical Eve, and women in general, as the root cause of every man's troubles, while at the same time acknowledging the pivotal role women play in society. Surprisingly Matavire's music has remained popular even among the young in Zimbabwe years after his death. He is also remembered for his willingness to experiment with the Shona language in his songs, coining phrases that have remained part of everyday conversation among the Shona speaking people in the country.
The JJB grew in popularity during the late 80s, and even toured abroad. Their success was interrupted by Matavire's one year incarceration on rape charges. The band commemorated his 1991 release with the song Back from College, a song that narrated his experiences in jail. The band, composed of various musicians under Matavire's leadership released 13 albums, the latest being 2003's Zimbe Remoto.
Matavire was also known for leading a simple life. Semi-retired before his death, he balanced music with tending goats and cattle in Rutenga
where he moved after 2000 when he was awarded a farm by the government. Just like his music however, Matavire had his own fair share of controversies. These saw him serving a 1-year sentence for rape in the early 90's. At the time of his death, there were media reports of him having ejected a commercial farmer and taken over the farm, including the livestock, during Zimbabwe's controversial 'Land Reform Programme'. For most Zimbabweans however, Matavire is fondly remembered for his music more than anything else.
Asipo Haapo (with the Hit Machine, 1996)
Maranda, Zimbabwe
Maranda, locally known as "No. 1", is a small business center on the northern edge of Mwenezi . It is the home town of Dr. Love, Paul Matavire the former popular musician and Nikita Mangena, ZIPRA military leader during the Second Chimurenga war. It is a center of trade in the district, with people...
, Mwenezi District
Mwenezi District
Mwenezi is a small district situated in southern Zimbabwe. Mwenzi is bisected by the Mwenezi River and the A4 highway, the main road that connects the town of Beitbridge, on the border with South Africa, to Masvingo.- Background :...
. He rose to prominence in the 1980s when he joined the Jairos Jiri Band based in Bulawayo
Bulawayo
Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe after the capital Harare, with an estimated population in 2010 of 2,000,000. It is located in Matabeleland, 439 km southwest of Harare, and is now treated as a separate provincial area from Matabeleland...
at the Jairos Jiri Rehabilitation Centre. He was then elected to lead the Jairo Jiri Band, as one of Zimbabwe's finest musicians to emerge after the country gained independence from Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1980. He died at the age 44, in 2005 at his farm in Rutenga
Rutenga
Rutenga is a growth point in Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe. It straddles the A4 highway between Beitbridge and Masvingo. It is the defacto capital of Mwenezi .- Background :...
, Masvingo
Masvingo
Masvingo is a town in south-eastern Zimbabwe and the capital of Masvingo Province. The town is close to Great Zimbabwe, the national monument from which the country takes its name.- History :...
.
Music career
The Jairos Jiri Band are representatives of Jairos JiriJairos Jiri
Jairos Jiri was born in 1921 in the Mutenyami Village in Bikita, Masvingo,close to Chitsanga Primary School. He was a philanthropist.In the early day of his childhood he had a dream of helping the disabled people...
, the Disabled Musicians' Society. They were led by the late Paul Matavire, who was a social worker, and had been left blind by glaucoma
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is an eye disorder in which the optic nerve suffers damage, permanently damaging vision in the affected eye and progressing to complete blindness if untreated. It is often, but not always, associated with increased pressure of the fluid in the eye...
as a child. While Paul's deep lyrics garnered him the nickname of Dr. Love, his songs were also known for their social commentary.
Matavire's music gained popularity due to his humor, the use of rich and deep Shona lyrics, and his willingness to tread on what many regarded sensitive societal issues. His songs touched on anything from religion to marital issues, but still retaining the humor that made it ever so popular. His hit song 'Dhiyabhorosi Nyoka' not only stirred controversy at its release by its reference to the biblical Eve, and women in general, as the root cause of every man's troubles, while at the same time acknowledging the pivotal role women play in society. Surprisingly Matavire's music has remained popular even among the young in Zimbabwe years after his death. He is also remembered for his willingness to experiment with the Shona language in his songs, coining phrases that have remained part of everyday conversation among the Shona speaking people in the country.
The JJB grew in popularity during the late 80s, and even toured abroad. Their success was interrupted by Matavire's one year incarceration on rape charges. The band commemorated his 1991 release with the song Back from College, a song that narrated his experiences in jail. The band, composed of various musicians under Matavire's leadership released 13 albums, the latest being 2003's Zimbe Remoto.
Matavire was also known for leading a simple life. Semi-retired before his death, he balanced music with tending goats and cattle in Rutenga
Rutenga
Rutenga is a growth point in Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe. It straddles the A4 highway between Beitbridge and Masvingo. It is the defacto capital of Mwenezi .- Background :...
where he moved after 2000 when he was awarded a farm by the government. Just like his music however, Matavire had his own fair share of controversies. These saw him serving a 1-year sentence for rape in the early 90's. At the time of his death, there were media reports of him having ejected a commercial farmer and taken over the farm, including the livestock, during Zimbabwe's controversial 'Land Reform Programme'. For most Zimbabweans however, Matavire is fondly remembered for his music more than anything else.
Albums
- Matavire Mbune (with Jaios Jiri Band, 1989 LP)
- Doctor Love Volume 2 (1990, LP)
- Akanaka Akaraka (with the Hit Machine, 1993, LP)
- Gakanje (with the Hit Machine, 1995, LP)
- Fadza Customer (with the Hit Machine, 1998, LP)
- Govanai (1999, CT)
Asipo Haapo (with the Hit Machine, 1996)