Babatunde Usman

When the sugar is no longer sweet

Walter Nyamukondiwa, Mashonaland West Bureau Chief Music artist Taruvinga “Sugar Sugar” Manjokoto feels some promoters, choices he made and the “bad hand” that the banker in the wild casino of life dealt him have combined to relegate him to the peripheries of the music industry. With it comes a life of struggle, unfulfilled dreams, mockery from some once adoring fans whom he rubs shoulders with in public transport, leaving him a tormented soul yearning for a breakthrough. Was it a case of fame without fortune, talent tainted by misfortune, lack of proper management or imprudent use of resources at his peak? From a stint on the top table of the country’s music industry where he easily rubbed shoulders with the finest of the time, Sugar Sugar dropped off and now sweeps up crumbs at the bottom.