Blacks Unlimited, a photo from Harare, East

Photographer's Note

This is an unusual photo for me. It was taken in Harare, Zimbabwe, in early 1984, when I spent the Nordic winter touring southern Africa to write freelance stories. These men called themselves the Blacks Unlimited. They were big stars on the local music scene and their leader Thomas Mapfumo (the seated man with dreadlocks) had an almost legendary status.

The interview I had planned didn't go very well. I spent a couple of hours at the place where they used to rehearse, and although they were all polite and friendly, Thomas Mapfumo was not very talkative. I managed to take a number of photos anyway. When we all gathered outside for a photo session this elderly lady came walking by on her way from the grocery store. She obviously thought it would be fun to be photographed, so she joined us for a while. That's why they are all in such a good mood. She put a smile on everyone's face.

Thomas Mapfumo gained fame in the 1970's with songs that supported the guerillas fighting the illegal white regime in what was then Rhodesia. He was banned from Rhodesian radio and was imprisoned for a few months in 1979. But his songs were still being played in discos and other radio stations, and his popularity kept growing.

When Zimbabwe celebrated its independence in 1980 Thomas Mapfumo topped the bill at a big concert in Harare along with international super star Bob Marley.

Later during the 1980's he became increasingly critical of the corruption and economic mismanagement of Robert Mugabe's regime. Eventually in the 1990's he felt forced to leave the country and moved to the USA.

Despite the meagre result of my meeting with Thomas Mapfumo I wrote a story which I tried to sell to a music magazine. But the editor wisely rejected it because it was nearly all about politics, too little about the music. I just had to agree with him.

I scanned this from a Kodak Tri-X negative.

papagolf21, Fis2, BennyV, pajaran, ikeharel, pierrefonds, jean113, CMJC, PaulVDV, jhm, macjake, ChrisJ, Royaldevon, COSTANTINO, PiotrF, mcmtanyel, alvaraalto, worldcitizen, ricardomattos, adramad has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

BennyV (34748) 2020-09-28 0:33

A fine tribute to a great man, Gert!

First time I heard about Thomas Mapfumo was because the great Don Cherry dedicated a song to him on his Multikulti album. i discovered Mapfumo's music only later. Sometimes music and politics can't be divided, so I think the music magazine rejecting the article was their loss.

Thanks a lot for posting this historic gem.

Benny

papagolf21 (152607) 2020-09-28 0:34

Bonjour, cher Gert,
Tr鑚 int駻essante note d'accompagnement permettant de mieux cerner l'objet de la prise de vue.
La politique et la musique sont deux 駘駑ents bien diff駻ents. La musique est compos馥 de sons, la chanson de paroles, et cela change tout, le contenu d'une chanson peut plaire ou d駱laire (raisonnement simpliste, je le reconnais).
Quoi qu'il en soit, le sujet est bien pr駸ent�, et le sourire des participants semble r馥l.
Amiti駸.
Philippe

Fis2 (170693) 2020-09-28 0:39

Witaj Gert my neighbour today again :)
A very nice scene from daily life.
I see a saxophonist!
It's nice to watch people smiling.
Excellent b&w work.
Nice day and good new week.
Krzysztof

pajaran (115831) 2020-09-28 0:55

Greeting.
Beautiful photo and memory, good text ...
Well shown with a nice black and white photo and a captured moment. Nice scene with art.
I wish you a nice day, all the best in the new week that has begun.
Paja.

ikeharel (113291) 2020-09-28 1:39

At that time when this picture was take, Rhodesia already became Zimbabwe, Gert, and people were happy to have independence - but their happiness was not for long, and historyalready written.
So, when seeing this happy gathering, hope they managed to keep smiling for the years thereafter.
Anyway, we do not see many pictures from this placce, a very good contribution to the site.
Have a nice new week,
Ike

Silvio1953 (221525) 2020-09-28 1:53

Ciao Gert, beatiful B&W with all black people, nice smiles, fine details, good clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

pierrefonds (114395) 2020-09-28 4:42

Hi Gert,

You have captured well the smiling expression of the persons present. The point of view is showing the details of their clothings. The black and white is giving a good contrast to the picture. Have a nice day.

Pierre

jean113 (27847) 2020-09-28 4:47

Hello Gert, this is a very interesting picture to go alongside your notes.
I had never heard of Thomas Mapfumo before.
Everyone looks happy, lovely smiles.
The quality of the picture is excellent.
An excellent TE post.
Thanks for sharing, kind regards, Jean.

GyurMaster (24818) 2020-09-28 5:42

Dear Gert,

Another interesting photograph with an interesting background story. Its funny that the old woman does not seem to smile at all, yet she made everyone smile.

Best Wishes,
Gy.

CMJC (5097) 2020-09-28 6:47 [Comment]

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Miguel82 (47110) 2020-09-28 7:46

Gert, Zimbabwe is a country very rarely seen on Te. Thanks for posting this picture. The musicians look happy and are smiling. There are many characters to observe. A lively group photo. Fine colors, good sharpness, regards.

PaulVDV (62880) 2020-09-28 8:54

Hello Gert,
It has been almost three years since Mugabe stepped down (in order not to be impeached). Meanwhile, in the international news it's quiet again around the country.
Could the country be doing a bit better at the moment? Perhaps less bad is a more accurate expression.
Your picture shows a group of smiling and seemingly happy men.
But they actually laugh because this shopping lady joined the group for a while.
Did she know the group leader was very famous in Zimbabwe? Perhaps every Zimbabwean knows this artist.
He may have been allowed to return to his country in recent years.
Best regards, Paul

jhm (211736) 2020-09-28 8:57

Hello Gert,

***First: my picture has again are note!
Who remove it, I don't known***

One of your most beautiful old portraits
Perfect scanned perfect clear image.
Nice composition and perfect presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John

jmdias (115100) 2020-09-28 11:46

gert

I remember while in a museum in this country a man came to me saying he had fought at side mugabe,of course he wanted some money and I never knew if that was true or a half lie. nice view of the musicians. sad he never saw his country really going to the progress.
take care

jorge

Tue (92322) 2020-09-28 12:30

Hej Gert,
Et meget godt billede af den store gruppe m誅d med deres store smile og kvinden p� venstre side. Det var synd at din artikel blev udgivet, ellers have billede udm誡ket godt kunnet blive brugt ved den. Saxofonen er ogs� godt kommet med som eneste bevis p� at det handler om en gruppe musikere.
Lars

emka (158092) 2020-09-28 13:12

Hello Gert, As always, very interesting note about your experiences in Zimbabwe. Nice view of these musicians smiling. But the woman is not smiling, maybe surprised to see the reporteer? I haven't heard about these stars and their leader. Pity that your reportage and the interview was not published.
Best regrads MAlgo

lousat (139220) 2020-09-28 14:41

Hi Gert,I am sorry that the fruit of this meeting was rejected by your editor, in fact too much politics and little music, and it was just like that considering that the leader of the group has fled to the United States. There remains this cheerful photo of your adventure, of which we now know a lot .... 36 years later. Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

ifege (48019) 2020-09-28 20:46

Hi Gert
When I saw the title and country I wasn't sure what to expect.
A great photo of the group and excellent scan. Re your failure to sell the article to a music magazine - plenty of music is political.
cheers
Ian

macjake (98438) 2020-09-28 23:24

Hi Gert
awesome story, I wonder how he is now, or even if he's still living...who knows. These are still the best TE posts in my opinion, an interesting photo with an even better story.
and OF COURSE the leader is the ONLY man sitting in a chair, everyone else has to stand or find something to sit on. The chair is for him. again, great TE post, i enjoyed the note very much. cheers
Craig

ChrisJ (171822) 2020-09-29 1:25

Hi Gert,

Good tonal range with excellent sharpness. The seated gentleman reminds me of Bob Marley. I guess the music was one way to cope with the turbulent politics of Zimbabwe. Tfs!

Royaldevon (85896) 2020-09-29 2:22

Hello gert,

What an interesting story and a good talking point when you recount your travels in Africa!
It's a really good, sharp photograph, the musicians appearing relaxed and happy!

I looked at the photograph for a while before I read your notes and wondered about the lady!
Having read your notes, the photograph has a slightly, different impression, maybe a little like a slot from a comedy sequence! I notice that some of the musicians are actually looking in her direction with a quizzical look!

Thanks for sharing this,
Bev :-)
I felt for you.
It must be disappointing to have travelled to Africa and have your articles refused. Maybe a more general magazine would have been a more successful option!

COSTANTINO (116421) 2020-09-29 11:48

hello dear Gert and have a nice new day
i cannot understand why this photo is
an unusual photo for you...I like the
capture and I am feeling nicely because
all men are happy and the expression
of their faces show it perfectly....
...but yes you are right,,,the elderly
lady put a smile
on everyone s face...
regards
Costantino

PiotrF (54602) 2020-09-29 13:26

Hello Gert,
I do not know the music of Thomas Mapfumo, but a very interesting note. The musician known in his country did not become popular in the world during the wave of world music use.
Interesting scene with a random lady. Taking pictures and interviews with musicians is a very pleasant activity:)
Regards
Piotr

mcmtanyel (68447) 2020-09-29 19:39

Hello Gert,
These men aren't dressed like big stars. In fact, if it weren't for the tenor saxophone, I couldn't tell these from ordinary people on the street.
Regards,
MT

alvaraalto (42804) 2020-10-01 3:00

Hello Gert,
A photo that immediately attracts attention by this image that is very unusual on TE.
Looking at it you値l be prompted to read your interesting text to learn more about this remarkable photo.
A story that fits well into the memoirs you are undoubtedly writing.
Excellent presentation.
Have a nice day, groet Rob

worldcitizen (16048) 2020-10-01 13:26

Hello Gert,
This is an interesting photo, with an interesting backstory. It's nice that the lady visitor lightened the mood, and you could capture everyone smiling. The saxophone and basket also catch my eye. Take care!

ricardomattos (17460) 2020-10-02 17:33

Hi Gert,

Beleza de foto documental com estes famosos de Zimbabwe. Thomas realmente me faz lembrar Bob Marley e ao ler sua nota vi que eles fizeram um show juntos. D� pr� perceber a alegria e descontra鈬o do grupo todo. Excelente foto!

Parab駭s

Ricardo

adramad (72970) 2020-10-05 11:04

Hi Gert.
A very interesting note, which highlights the importance of this photograph, which also has the quality of a magnificent group portrait, everyone is here smiling, including the main character of the group, the only one sitting!
Excellent clear and sharp capture!
Well done. I like it.
You have a good day.
Very best regards.
Luis.

kasianowak (17676) 2020-10-12 0:35

Not as unusual as an occasional "postcard" image you upload. This one does include people... ;-)
Brilliant group portrait and the lady with her shopping basket is a really good addition to the lads.
I agree with Benny that the music magazine editor made a big mistake.
Have a nice day
Kasia