Featured in ‘Living in Maputo’, July 2013

By Eline Jakobs

Isaú Meneses: Multi Talented Musician Launches 7th CD

Musician, professor and politician Issaú Meneses celebrates 30 years of career and launches his 7 th
album this Thursday 4 July at Eduardo Mondlane Cultural Centre. Motto of the multi talented,
visually impaired Meneses is ‘Cada um vê como pode’, loosely translated: ‘Everyone sees in their
own way’, and he certainly views the world from many different standpoints.

Meneses was born in Chimoio, and moved to Beira as a child. Growing up in a musical family he
started his musical career at a young age, performing on stage for the first time at the age of 14.
However, he always put his studies first and after the Civil War Meneses was working as a musician,
DJ and teacher at a secondary school. Seeing as he was well known and respected in the community,
he was approached to start a career in politics. He accepted the challenge to try to help rebuild
Mozambique, but never lost touch with his musical roots and managed in his 30 year career to
produce 6 CDs, while at the same time working as a parliamentarian, getting his doctorate in
sociology, and teaching at University. When asked about the most memorable moments in his busy
life, he says his biggest achievement was getting his doctorate while juggling his other careers. A big
milestone in music was the accomplishment of his first CD, and remarkably his most memorable
moment in politics, he says, was when, after 15 years, he managed to get out and stopped being a
parliamentarian.

Meneses gets inspiration for his music from everyday problems and life he sees around him. Music,
he says, is for him a way of registering culture and beliefs. He continues to say that ‘he who sings,
prays twice. Musicians can put their thoughts in lyrics as well as melody’. The title of his 7 th CD for
example is ‘“Patchissa-Pananfiti” (there are witches in the neighbourhood), a comment on a
persistent belief especially in the countryside of Mozambique that some people bring bad luck. The
CD boasts 11 original songs, sung in Portuguese, Sena and Shona. At the launch of the CD Meneses
will be accompanied by the band Likuba. They will share the stage with well known guest musicians
José Mucavele, Sizakele, Bob Love and Sigauque Project. The event will also showcase two dancers
from Beira, Lídia e Marília.

And after the show, what’s next? Is there anything this accomplished politician/musician/professor
wishes for the future? Meneses answers that his dream is to realise 3 more CDs before his 60 th
birthday. After that he would like to devote his time to writing books on social research, reflecting on
life in a calmer, less stressful way.

For more information or to order CD: 82 0605460