A Rare Breed- the Fervent Arts Fanatic- Dr Gasolo’s Great Trek

He has been largely described as a brave man with extraordinary attributes that make him stand out as a die hard, an unshakable conqueror, a victor who stands his ground to sacrifice for a good cause.

Prince Mazilankatha Ncube, well known as Dr Gasolo in the arts fraternity has embarked on a massive and impressive drive that is characterised by his long walk from his rural home in Matshetsheni to Gwanda centre where he later proceeds from Gwanda to eSigodini until he reaches Bulawayo. Dr Gasolo is a multi talented creative who does almost everything in the arts sector, scriptwriting, directing, producing, acting, poetry and artist management. This cultural enthusiast is also the founder and the current director of Maskand’ Emuntwini Movement which is a drive that seeks to promote, protect and preserve Maskandi music which is a Ndebele cultural heritage.

Dr Gasolo sheds light on the motive behind this walk he coined “Dr Gasolo Long Walk To Success” when he indicates that as local artists they need support from the local leadership and business community. He states that artists can do anything to receive that kind of appreciation hence his fervour to do the long walk.

This gutsy man mentions some of the public misconceptions and myths regarding the artists and the arts industry where people largely believe that there is poor quality delivered by artists from Matabeleland. Dr Gasolo dismisses such misapprehensions that are meant to bring down the creative industry.

He has carried out several investigations from people who are complaining about quality, this he did with an intention to enlighten people on the importance of supporting and embracing local talent in order to avoid painting the creative industry with a bleak picture.  

“When one complains about poor quality of music by a particular artist, I make sure that I dig deeper to find out what exactly do they mean by poor quality, in most cases I have gathered from the participants that they have quite vague and queer assessments that only do more harm than good to the career of a creative. As someone who believes in constructive criticism such sweeping statements are just meant to humiliate individuals as they are primitive and they need to be avoided”, says Dr Gasolo.

He says most of the comments are quite baseless “Bathi hayi yikuthi vele ama local artists into abayenzayo kayizwakali laloba lapho sengibafakele ukuthi nango uzibani kodwa baswele isizatho sokuthi kahle kahle abakusolayo kuyini”.

So that artists receive the kind of criticism they deserve for their growth and development in the various categories they are engaged in, Dr Gasolo says that this walk is meant to show people that as artists they have the strength to even go an extra mile to meet the business community, local leadership and the general public so that they are able to push their art to a greater level by appreciating and supporting what they do.

When the business community supports him as an artist they are not only uplifting him as an individual but they are also doing this for the community that tends to benefit.  Dr Gasolo gives an example on this when he talks about the issue of brand ambassadorship where people relate more to people they know as compared to when a local company gets a brand ambassador based in Harare whom the locals in Gwanda know but cannot relate to. “To have a brand ambassador from the community for a local business abantu abanengi kuyabachaza njalo abanye kabasathengi ngoba bebefuna ukuthenga kodwa sebethenga ngoba bebone ipikitsha yomuntu abamaziyo who they can relate to”, this is one way he says the business community can support local artists in turn this boosts their businesses.

“The message that I am putting across to people is that let’s support each other as a community”, reveals Dr Gasolo.

When asked about how he manages to walk such a long distance, Dr Gasolo says, “Ukudinwa yinto ekhatshana lami” showing clear signs of a high level of commitment to walk for a good cause as he also mentions that he will only stop where he finds people gathered waiting for him, otherwise he will not take such breaks.

Dr Gasolo proudly and affectionately talks about his adventurous walk where he is still amazed and highly thrilled by the reception he received from the Tiwi area in Matshetsheni yesterday, 01/09/22, where he was welcomed by more than 50 people who included the old and the young. The esteemed crowd gathered, all waiting to witness the man of the moment, Dr Gasolo. “ “Sizwile ukuthi uyabuya, sihle sakubona ngomqhele wakho osekhanda ukuthi nguwe”, said one of the villagers he met along his way to Gwanda centre from Matshetsheni.

Dr Gasolo is glad to announce that he will soon establish a dance group for artists from the Tikwi area after having been duly selected by the villagers who identified him as having the key attributes necessary to ensure that the young people who are passionate about dance have found someone who will help push their career to soaring levels. This means that Matabeleland South has already benefited because the walk has already yielded some fruits. The mighty man promises to hold a show soon in the Tiwi area in honour of their unwavering love and support for his drive in as far as the arts industry in Matabeleland is concerned.

The warmth he received is a clear indication that this long walk to success was well publicised and people were fully enlightened and excited about his motive. In this area he had to stop for more than an hour celebrating with his valued and respected people before he proceeded for Gwanda where he deeply expresses his joy for the love he was shown by the people who welcomed him at Matshetsheni turnoff and walked with them for approximately 10kms until they reached Gwanda CBD.

“Adrian Musa (T.I.M.E Project of Gwanda), Zhezhingtons (King of Tribal House), Sithokozile Sibanda (Creatives Magazine), Bruce Skollah (Gwanda Magazine) and Promise Dube (Ministry of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation) ngibonga ngingaqedi. Indlela elingamukele ngayo iyisimanga, ngize ngazizwa njenge celebrity Namhlanje. Ngicela lokhu elingenzele khona likwenze lakwabanye” says Dr Gasolo expressing his gratitude to the creatives from Gwanda.

The Chief Coordinator for the “Dr Gasolo long walk to success”, Precious Sphithiphithi Ncube, Imbongikazi, expressed so much thankfulness for the overwhelming love and care from everyone involved in this drive, she says that she will forever cherish such kind gestures that are meant to uplift them as artists united for a common cause. 

“Thank you everyone for the support you have shown to Dr Gasolo so far, all the artists and everyone else in support of this walk, we really appreciate you for showing him love, kusukela ekhaya lapho azalwa khona until he got to Gwanda, we are overwhelmed by all the people he is meeting on his way, amaqembu atshiyeneyo abantu bemlindile  bembamba isandla appreciating indlela uGasolo azimisele ngayo. You made it so easy for us to prepare for this walk as people pledged, people came forward and contributed to the success. Lets understand and support each other, lets continue to support him until he gets to Bulawayo”, says Precious with so much joy and excitement

Adrian ‘Drivo’ Musa, the TIME Project Director who was one of the creatives who walked with Dr Gasolo from Matshetsheni turn to Gwanda centre had this to say, “Such kind of bold men are now rare to find. Dr Gasolo has shown the nation the highest level of passion, commitment and focus towards what he wants. He has set the record straight. The long walk to success marks the dawn of a new era where the Government of Zimbabwe, donors, partners, stakeholders and other relevant authorities should realise the need for them to seriously consider Matabeleland region creative entrepreneurs so that they also get the fair share of the cake. Dr Gasolo is a hero who should go down history books for his bravery”.

The social media platforms are awash with messages about the Dr Gasolo Long Walk to Success”; the following are some of the reactions from artists and the general public;

“As creative entrepreneurs in Gwanda we are fully behind Dr Gasolo long walk to success initiative as he dedicates himself on behalf of all Creative entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe advocating for their recognition by the government and other stakeholders. We wish Dr Gasolo all the best and may the Lord God bless him”.

“This guy has a heart of a lion. He deserves maximum recognition and respect”.  

“All the best to you sir Gasolo stay strong a better tomorrow is coming”.

“This is great, siyabonga Dr G”.

“A hero in his own accord”.

“He is a visionary man. May he live to see the fruition of all his visions. i like your humility my man. if you keep humbling yourself you will see what God will do for you”.

“Siyabonga Dr, uqinile bhudi”.

“Abashweee, this is great guys 100% behind you  Dr Gasolo. Siyabonga”.

“Ngicela inumber ze ecocash ka Dr Gasolo. Yaaaaa lindoda inspires me”.

“Such is the only way forward. I salute colleagues”.

“Uyindoda emadodeni Dr Gasolo. You really challenged me”.

“Uhlangabezwe ngazo zombili izandla lenhliziyo ezimhlophe eMaJahundeni u Dr Gasolo.Simfisela uhambo oluhle aze ayefika ko Ntuthu ziyathunqa”.

‘Thank you so much guys you did a good job in Gwanda we really appreciate. Lathi we will receive him with pride”.

“I often hear artists complaining about lack of support and am asking myself who are we blaming when we are failing to show love and support to our very own fellow artists. Who then do we expect to support us when we fail to support each other thina. Dr Gasolo’s story is our story”.

In his remarks, from eSigodini, Dr Gasolo conveys his utmost appreciation to everyone who is working tirelessly for the success of this walk. “Lonke lizizwe libongakele”

Dr Gasolo appreciates and highly acknowledges the par excellent hospitality given to him by Adrian who offered him what he refers to as the 5 star treatment. “Lingibongise ku Drivo kambe ngangizayizwela ngaphi i 5 star hotel. Phela mina ngangihlala ngisizwa kuthwa 5-star hotel ngithi kumbe kuyabe kulama star ayi 5 emakhanda ombheda”.

Precious Sphithiphithi Ncube reveals that Dr Gasolo is expected to arrive eSigodini at 2100hrs today. We are informed that he will sleep over there and proceed to Bulawayo tomorrow. Currently he is said to be approaching Mawabeni area and she calls for those who wish to welcome him to be there by 1800hrs.  Exciting activities are lined up for eSigodini and Bulawayo.

“Tomorrow, 03/09/22 Dr Gasolo will leave eSigodini, we will welcome him by the Max garage and walk around town in places such as the City hall, Pick n Pay Hyper and Hamara. The Dr Gasolo Long Walk to Freedom celebrations will be held in Bulawayo, eHloseni arts”.