By Desire Tshuma
South Africa based artist Blessing Muroti Gomo has called on his fellow colleagues in the music industry to venture into other businesses so as to survive during the Covid 19 lockdown.
As the second wave of Covid-19 is taking it’s toll and forced Zimbabwe to go back to a 30-day lockdown, multi-talented musician-cum-business man Blessing Muroti Gomo has urged artists to venture into a variety of businesses so as to survive during the Covid lockdown.
The covid-19 lockdown has caused a lot of suffering within all sectors of production in Zimbabwe and the world at large. The entertainment industry is one of the most affected as artists get income through conducting shows. All gatherings were stopped and the number of people attending shows was limited since the inception of the lockdowns in March 2020. As a result of the lockdowns, artists could not conduct shows and this has impoverished a lot of them.
”I would like to advise my fellow brothers and sisters in the music industry to venture into some other businesses so as to sustain during this deadly pandemic-induced lockdown that has ravaged the world. It could be a tuckshop or any small income-generating project that could be of great help for an artist and his or her family to survive, ” said Gomo.
Coronavirus continues to escalate in Zimbabwe with the latest total number standing at 27203 cases, recoveries at 16512 and 713 deaths while 772 cases and 17 deaths were recorded yesterday. The government of Zimbabwe is also trying its best in fighting this COVID 19 pandemic by enforcing strict lockdown conditions that include the introduction of the curfew that starts from 6 pm to 6 am.
On 19 December 2020, Blessing Muroti Gomo and the Anointed Singers launched three albums at once at a colourful event in Harare which saw a number of renowned artists coming on board to support him. These include Blessing Shumba, Sebastian Magacha and other recognized artists.
”We are still to upload our music into different social media platforms like i- Tunes, YouTube, Instagram to mention a few for our fans to access the music but for now we have created Whatsapp platform and we’re sharing with our fans,” added Gomo.
”I also urge my colleagues, fans, and the general public to adhere to Covid 19 conditions. Please wash your hands, maintain social distancing, wash your hands with running water using soap, and always sanitize so as to fight this pandemic,” concluded Gomo.
The Muroti Movement has so far released four albums. These include three albums launched in December 2020: ‘Delete’ which is gospel music, Mukombe weZodzo which is sungura, and ”Check my Records’ jazz music.
