Does Winky D own exclusive rights to the Castle ta...

Does Winky D own exclusive rights to the Castle tankard?

Winky D Biography: Real Name, Albums, Family

Robert Mukondiwa

I took time to speak about this because there was too much dust. Also I’m known to deeply appreciate Winky D’s music, musicality, lyricism as well as his persona that he has crafted well. There was however an uproar when Winky D was not approached to headline the Castle Tankard, Southern Africa’s oldest Merit rated horse race. The media went up in a frenzy claiming he had been scrapped or snubbed and other colourful statements.

I thought someone would correct that. Fact is Winky, to my understanding, was not scrapped but omitted. It is not like the line up had been announced then a revised statement made announcing his removal. Therefore you cannot scrap that which you have not put up. But somehow like a luck of paint that hadn’t been painted on, it was miraculously removed. But not all of us master language in equal measure while others are plain alarmist and sensational to each to their own. However, there seemed to be an unwritten rule that Winky D had to be the headliner come hell or high water and that he was entitled to that slot.

He is not, was not and certainly NEVER should be. It isn’t his. It is an event headlined by Macheso, Sulumani at one time while on the enclosure during my days working as the racecourse as an announcer we would be treated to Tanga Wekwa Sando. To seem to suggest that certain things or slots are ordained for particular people is as laughable as it is dreadfully ignorant and downright ridiculous. If names like Macheso and Jah Prayzah had not bowed out people like Winky would not have gotten a change at such a beautiful event which is probably our equivalent of the Durban or dare I say Coachella! Ok. I exaggerate.

But there is nothing that says this belongs to Winky D. The Chinhu Chedu feeble mindedness may be acceptable in other spheres where humans however all thumbs they are are worshipped but surely the arts should be an exception. Especially where we’ve lost key inclusive events like Hifa and local shows have to be okayed by an FSB agent in some outpost in Siberia. True. The timing of the decision making is interesting. Winky has spent a penny on a couple of egos this year and some may be lily livered to engage him.

It would be unfortunate if in a nation build on the blood of pursuers of freedom decisions on who to sing for you were now directed by fear. But that would be on whomsoever instils that fear. Shame on them. Not Winky and certainly not Natbrew (deliberately called them that because I miss the days they truly seemed home grown. Anyway.

Everyone has a right to their opinion. However to me the real story was why he had headlined for so long! Are we not producing anymore new big exciting crowd pullers? Are the people at Delta lazy at putting together concerts so they engage professional show promoters like Max Mugaba to do the job like he did with Mapfumo’s homecoming and Tarrus Riley show? Or perhaps Winky is the only option? Certainly I smell Nutty O headlining soon. Or even toning down to beauty like Feli Nandi, Raven Duchess and Hope Masike for a diverse taste?

At the end of the day Winky doesn’t own a spot and while he knows I’m probably a ne of his top supporters, he will agree after a fine run year after year he did expect to take a breather and return another time. Which is probably why he had the mind not to comment. Lest it risked being called the Winky Tankard! He’ll be back. 2030 anenge achipo. Much to the disappointment of some, perhaps. Ibotso!