Sifelani Tsiko

Zimpapers Fact Check Editor

THE Zimbabwe footprint left by Jimmy Cliff – a gifted reggae icon who gained international recognition through the 1972 film “The Harder They Come,” – will linger for many years to come.

The Jamaican superstar also popularised reggae’s themes of struggle, resistance and uplift.

The reggae legend, born James Chambers on July 30, 1944, in Somerton, Saint James Parish, Jamaica, died on Monday, at the age of 81.

Jimmy Cliff visited Zimbabwe twice, in 1982 when he came for a week to organise a tour, after he performed in Cameroon and Zambia, Europe and America.

“I am here now to lay the groundwork to make it possible for me to come in April, when there is no rain,” he told The Herald.

“I also wanted to let my fans know that my latest album Special, which was released in Zimbabwe last month, is one of my best works.”

He arrived two years after the historic performance by reggae icon Bob Marley at the country’s 1980 independence celebrations.

Marley opened the floodgates of reggae music not only in Zimbabwe but in Africa.

Jimmy Cliff returned again in 1983 and performed in the country.

His death came exactly 43 years after he first set foot in Zimbabwe.

In his heart, Jimmy Cliff carried his deep love for African unity and did not hesitate to speak his mind about this.

“My vision for Africa and Africans at home and abroad is oneness – one Africa, one people beyond tribal, national, political or religious boundaries.”

When asked about disco music, he said:

“Disco music is Satanic.

“Why? Because it doesn’t say anything to inspire people or to motivate people to higher living, whereas reggae music is king’s music.”

Jimmy Cliff was so proud to be in Zimbabwe.

He was unapologetic about being African.

“Africa is my home and I am an African. I will travel all over Africa until I find the exact area where my ancestors originated.”

JIMMY CLIFF CONTROVERSY – SA CONCERTS VERSUS THE ANTI-APARTHEID MOVEMENT

Jimmy Cliff’s performance in apartheid South Africa in 1979 elicited a lot of criticism.

In Zimbabwe and across many parts of the world, performing in apartheid South Africa was tantamount to endorsing the illegal white supremacist government.

Zimbabwe did not take it lightly at the time.

“Will Jimmy Cliff be allowed to perform here?”

This was a question which was posed to then Education and Culture Deputy Minister Joseph Culverwell.

He responded:

“As far as I’m concerned and as far as my cultural division is concerned, absolutely NO.

“He has not been invited by my Ministry of Culture, I can assure you about that.

“As a socialist state Zimbabwe has a declared policy of displaying solidarity with the discriminated and oppressed majority of South Africa.

“Anybody who by deliberate commission or omission condones or abets this inhuman practice (apartheid) should be castigated by all progressive people.”

Others felt differently at the time:

At the time, UN General Assembly Resolution 35/206 of December 16, 1980, requested all states to take steps to prevent all cultural, academic, sporting and other exchanges with South Africa.

It also appealed to writers, artists, musicians and other personalities to boycott South Africa.

The whole idea at the time was to stave the apartheid system and force its collapse.

It was felt that Jimmy Cliff’s performance in apartheid South Africa, betrayed millions of blacks shackled by racism in South Africa.

GIVE ZIMBABWE JIMMY CLIFF

Jimmy Cliff went to Soweto and many felt it was his gesture to the blacks and that meant he had to be allowed to perform in Zimbabwe.

There was a lot of pressure on the Government to lift the ban on Jimmy Cliff. The reggae singer’s name was removed from the world body’s blacklist of entertainers in May 1983.

On May 2, that year, Zimbabwe lifted the ban on Jimmy Cliff and opened the gates for his tour that year.

“He can come now. That was the understanding once the UN ban was lifted,” Culverwell said.

The reggae star’s promoter Musekiwa Kumbula travelled to Jamaica to invite Jimmy Cliff in August that year.

“At the moment we are looking at two shows, one in Bulawayo and one in Harare. More shows could be arranged depending on demand,” Kumbula said on his return from Jamaica.

Jimmy Cliff finally touched down in Zimbabwe on September 18, 1983, for shows at Rufaro and Barbourfields.

He said:

“Zimbabwe means a lot to us in Jamaica because we don’t take ourselves as Jamaicans.

“We think of ourselves as Africans. Africa is our home. Why Zimbabwe means so much to us is that we know that one day the whole continent will be free and return to its original owners.

“When Zimbabwe got independence, it was a victory for us too in Jamaica.”

During his stay, he visited Highfield and Seke communal lands, meeting ordinary ‘everyday’ people.

“My show in Bulawayo went incredibly well and the attendance was great. It was an historic event for me because people were still dancing by darkness and I had never played in the dark before,” he said.

He said the Rufaro show “was magnificent.”

Thousands of reggae fans thronged Rufaro for the historic show.

The Pied Pipers were the supporting group and they kept fans on their feet for more than an hour before Jimmy Cliff took to the stage.

“The show was magnificent. I enjoyed it tremendously. It was worth all the time and trouble for me to get to Zimbabwe.

“I am coming next year.

“I will have good news to take home about Zimbabwe. I was so impressed to know that people are so interested in Rastafari.”

At the show, he sang new and old songs, with the crowd singing along some of his popular tunes.

One hour into the show, Jimmy Cliff shouted:

“Do you want to go home now?” And, the crowd roared back with a thunderous ‘NO!’

Some of the tunes he belted out included ‘No Woman No Cry’, ‘Treat The Youths Right’, ‘Dear Mother’, ‘Remake the World’, ‘Special’, ‘Many Rivers To Cross’, ‘House of Exile’ and ‘Struggling Man’.

For Jimmy Cliff, whose career spanned more than six decades, the trip to Zimbabwe was laden with a deep spiritual meaning – the weight of the spiritual DNA of Africa in search of the real home and resonating with the revolutionary pulse and Africa’s rich heritage.

There was no questioning, during his performance, that this really felt like Jimmy Cliff was home – his real spiritual home.