‘Photographers’ abusing Macheso

Alick Macheso

In recent months I have been to a number of music concerts by sungura superstar Alick Macheso where I have seen him being abused by photographers. 

In today’s world where anyone has access to a camera, photographers have mushroomed everywhere and the lot I am referring to are usually in the habit of pulling their customers to the stage while Macheso is performing and standing them besides the star for photographs.

The frequency of these photographers on stage has become a nuisance and disturbs the smooth flow of performances. At the concerts that I have attended, Macheso is usually abused by these photographers who show no respect of his “office”.

The visits to the stage by the different photographers with their clients is so annoying, but for them, a dollar in the pocket is better than Macheso’s stage flow. At a recent showcase in Harare, Macheso seemed annoyed by the many visits by these photographers and you would see him politely nodding them off. 

And there is a selected group of these photographers who are in this habit. I am not sure if they are photojournalists at all. The problem with these photographers is that they damage the profession of photojournalists who are also usually present to shoot photos for their newspapers.

The nearest photojournalists usually got to the musician is when they climb on to the stage, but that is on rare occasions as they can zoom events from a distance. Journalists never take fans and place them besides the musician for photographs. Their photographs are not staged at all.

In contrast to concerts by superstar musician Oliver Mtukudzi, you never see anyone near the artist when he is on stage. Even during the concert, filming and photographs are restricted to possibly only those accredited.

I am not saying Macheso should not be taken photographs posing with his fans. No. What I am saying is that this has not to be done on stage as it is very unprofessional. He should set time for photo shoots after the concert or during his breaks.

I am sure Macheso has a stage manager, and that guy is not doing his work at all because one day an overzealous fan will pretend to pose by the musician in the pretext of a photo shoot and eventually harm him. He might be knifed and or attacked.

Why should photographers not respect Macheso while he is on stage because it seems they are taking advantage of his politeness? It is also a lapse of Macheso’s management who should protect the musician while on and off stage because it seems like they okay such shoots.

An official from Macheso’s camp is usually controlling the crowds coming for the photo shoot and at one time I was confused as to whether this was with the blessing of the sungura star. Or maybe it is a deal between the management and the photographers.

But Macheso should also be reminded that today, the world is so advanced in terms of technology and with the computer people can abuse his image. The music superstar should know that he is a brand and just getting taken photos while pausing with unknown people will backfire on him one day.

Macheso should learn to control his stage and please chase away these photographers who are abusing him.

If you Macheso continue to let these photographers abuse you, one day you will realise its negatives when you are attacked.

It is not only Macheso that these photographers are abusing, indeed several other musicians. It is time that all musicians united and stopped this rot. Before Tongai Moyo died, I used to attend a number of his concerts and I saw the same bunch of photographers abusing him, right and centre as they brought people on stage while he performed. Some habits have just to go; otherwise they spoil real photographers’ work and damage their reputation.