PITSHOU Lumiere of Diamond Musica has been resident in this country for more than two decades and says he now feels more Zimbabwean than Congolese. The rhumba star says the hospitality of Zimbabweans is unmatched in the world. “I am now more Zimbabwean than Congolese because I have not only integrated with the locals but I am now part of their systems,” said Pitshou.
“I have settled here for more than 20 years, and I am glad that wherever I go, I receive the highest level of hospitality. “My general conduct has earned their respect for whatever I am doing here.” He was recently in his hometown of Lubumbashi during a visit. “I have the bragging rights at the moment to say that I am the Congolese rhumba ambassador in Harare because I always educate my peers to respect locals and operate within the confines of Zimbabwean laws.
“My call has been taken seriously by most of the groups currently performing rhumba in Zimbabwe.” Pitshou recently performed at former First Lady Grace Mugabe’s 60th birthday celebrations. “To be honest, being invited to perform at prestigious events has always been the dream of every artist and such opportunities rarely come. “It gives us wings to fly and showcase what we are capable of.
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“Rhumba is big business, and the genre still commands a huge following.” “I know that we may be lamenting numerous challenges as rhumba musicians but the truth that needs to be told is that we can do better by collaborating with others. “I have shown my peers the way after collaborations with Suluman, Jah Signal, and now Queen Daisy, which was quite refreshing to say the least,” he said.
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