Interview Jonah Sithole & Alan Mwale, 16-3-1996, Amsterdam

After the interview, when I escorted them back to the place they were staying, I asked Jonah whether he was interviewed like this, about his role very often. He nodded his head and replied: It just doesn't happen, man, it just doesn't happen...

So this interview is pretty rare. The history of chimurenga music is often told on the internet. Invariably the perspective is Thomas Mapfumo's, or the particular journalist's perception of this. The focus is always on Thomas. So perhaps it's time to let Jonah tell the story, and especially the way it started, from his point of view, uncut.

9:50 Jonah starts telling his life's story
16:50 First meeting with Thomas Mapfumo 1975
19:00 Imitating the mbira with the guitar
23:00 First break-up with Thomas
25:05 Teaming up again with Thomas 1976/second split - Sabuku
25:55 Third period with Thomas 1978 - first record
27:00 Deploriser 1981-1983
27:20 European tours 1984, fifth split 1988, rejoined 1995
28:50 Reasons to leave in 1981 (& 1988?)
38:20 New recordings & the future
39:00 production
42:35 Kuyaura
48:00 Franco's influence...
...and then gradually, since the love for Franco's music is shared by everybody in the room, we move into enjoying Franco's music together and big men become little boys...
1:20:30 Alan explains what he learned from Mpudi Decca, when Decca was in Zimbabwe with Vedette Jazz (before he joined Franco).

...

[troyroy]

This is a gem. I love Jonah’s work, both as a solo musician and as a guitarist for Thomas Mapfumo. It’s amazing to hear him chronicle his journey, even his date of birth is incorrect on Wikipedia! That’s how little is known of this legend. I enjoyed him chronicle production differences in Mapfumo’s albums, things the untrained ear wouldn’t been able to pin point why the sound was different from the same musician, e.g. Varombo kuvarombo (my favorite Mapfumo album) and Sweet Chimurenga (light weight, relatively speaking but also a great album). Thank you for this.

[billionairebabies]

This is one for the time records, when I listen to Jonah’s guitar, the songs hit different. It’s almost like that first time listening to the song. What a legend and an inspiration 🫡

[SamMooreResonetrics]

Cool - I am a huge fan of Jonah's playing and recognize how much he brings to chimurenga - thanks for this!

[philastevenson]

what a legend. massive inspiration for any guitarist!

[paulprince]

When i toured with Thomas Mapfumo, playing Chamunorwa acoustic, starting back in 96, I loved hearing the melodic genius of Jonah Sitole. Back then it was Joshua Dube who visited and also he was a superb formative Chimurenga guitarist form the beginning. I met Allan Mwale and he was amazing from the same style as Charles Makokoba and he played on the"unplugged"mbira tours with Bezil Makombe and brother Ngoni on mbiras... what a sound .With Allan, he was very solid, What a great bassist and kind person - he is always remembered with reverence and respect.

[NgomaYekwedu]

thanks for this amazing post brother, and for your work keeping this music alive.

[iamveryfeeling]

Wow, thanks so much for sharing this. I especially love his description of Franco's playing style @ 58:10 - spot on! What's the name of the song being played there (starting @ 53:10)?

[RayJABQ]

Hello! I figured if anyone would have it, it would be you.. I am desperately looking for Sango Rinopa Waneta by Robson Banda. Would you be able to upload it here or find out where I can get it from please?

[NgomaYekwedu]

he says in Shona to Jonah Sithole "you left a vacuum that has never been filled again in Zimbabwe, we remember and show respect for you brother"

[AboubacarSiddikh]

That's Nda-Ya, find it as the second song in my post entitled "à l'Anciènne Belgique - Franco & le T.P. O.K. Jazz 1984"

[higHgradeH]

he said they left a spirit of vigilance n heroism in the land n they will be forever recalled/remembered

[totolondon]

sad news jonah sithole now the late , zimbabwe miss you brother

[totolondon]

makasiya chigamba muzimbabwe , tinokurangarirayi mukoma ,