HARARE - Businessman Phillip Chiyangwa says he has given away more than 100 residential stands to different local musicians in his life time.
He says this is part of his social responsibility. He was speaking to the Daily News after giving Suluman Chimbetu a second residential stand in Harare’s Stone Ridge Park as a birthday present.
Chimbetu turned 32 last week and the birthday celebrations were held at Harare’s award-winning joint Book Cafe and Chiyangwa graced the event.
“I am very happy with the stand in Stoneridge Park (Harare) and I am already in possession of the title deeds,” Chimbetu said.
He said he was in the process of building an eight-roomed house in Stoneridge.
“Chiyangwa ndimudhara wedu, anotipinza machena and haazi mafanizi or fake, (Chiyangwa is like our father, he always on our side) from the first stand he gave me, I am in the process of building an eight-roomed house,” he said.
He was given the first residential stand as a token of appreciation after he released the album Syllabus.
Chiyangwa said he cannot remember the exact number of residential stands he gave to local musicians but the number can be estimated to more than 100.
“I need time to compile a full-list for you but what I know is that I gave away more than 100 residential stands to different local musicians including Jah Prayzah, Sugar Sugar among others.
“From 2010 hitherto, I have gaven away more than 30 residential stands to different artistes and if my memory serves me right, I gave 14 stands to the whole group of Vabvuwi Choir,” he said.
Chiyangwa said he gave all the musicians he promised stands and their title deeds.
“I gave them their title deeds because nyaya idzodzo dzinonetsa (to clear my name) people talk a lot,” he said.
Apart from empowering artistes with residential stands, Chiyangwa said he has helped a number of artistes with musical equipment as well as providing transport for them.
“I have done uncountable things to the musicians including buying them musical instruments and providing transport to and from shows among others,” he said.