Personality profile
Lucky is a youthful-looking 49, but can’t wait to turn 50. “In England, teenagers can’t wait to be 18, or 21, so they can drink, smoke, drive and all of those things. Then they get to 21 and want to stay there forever!” said Lucky. “In my country, it is different. With age comes respect – and the older you get, the more you are revered, whether that be 40, 50 or 70.” When he’s not busy teaching in schools or rehab centres, Lucky can be found penning his next project or recording songs for his next album.
Today, Lucky - who lives in the very aptly named Middletune Street in Milton Regis - still travels regularly around Europe and to the USA, working with schools and colleges, businesses and individuals, inspiring others to use music and art as a way to gain greater personal insight into the world and their surroundings. He said: “I could never do a 9-5 job. It
takes away your creativity. After a few months, I get itchy feet and need to be off. I am fortunate to have travelled a lot in my life – probably some 36 countries. As a musician, I think it is important to listen to as much music in as many varied settings as possible.” He is sad that life has become so ‘politically correct’ and fears that today’s generation fail to use the internet as a tool to learn more and dig deeper. He organises ‘eco-tourism’ trips to his homeland, where families can stay with
Lucky’s most recent success has been setting up the Banha BeNgwana Development Association, along with some of his former friends at the Ngwana Primary School. The association wants to equip the whole school with new furniture at a cost of around £5,000 and support the school not only financially but physically, using offers of free time and labour.
his own and see his ‘culture’ at grass roots – not from rose-tinted tourist spectacles. “The objectives do not just give
tourists a taste of rural Zimbabwe and the traditional African ways of living but their visit benefits the local community, which profits from accommodation. The
He said: “There are many similarities
between villages in England and in Africa; no bus services, no post office, no shops. English villages are in danger of being taken over by rich people in big houses; we need more houses for the village children to be able to buy to keep the community going and to
Lucky’s own children – Lewis (18) who plays for Sittingbourne FC, Lesley (14) and Lisa (7) – occasionally join the choir, but have not inherited their father’s incessant passion for music.
He said: “They like me going away, as I always bring back nice presents!”
tour and walking guides, dancers, musicians and hosts all get to share the income with the tour operator,” he explained. Run in conjunction with Pro- Africa in the Netherlands, trips to the Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Ruins and Whange National Park can all be incorporated. He said: “Wherever I go, I want to
learn – about the history, the food, the concepts and the culture. Here in Kent, it’s about the hops, the castles, the rivers… there is so much to learn about and to learn from.” When at home, Lucky runs a
successful choir in Sittingbourne and is now working on Swale Sings on the project ‘Singing Villages’ to encourage local people to write poetry, songs and prose about their home communities – and perform them to their neighbours.
learn about the village’s history and their heritage.” Lucky is a firm believer in the role of music beyond just entertainment. He passionately argues for music as a vehicle for change, communication, dialogue, healing and problem solving. He travels back to Zimbabwe at least
once a year – but doesn’t miss the weather. Nor does he miss the queues at the border posts or the banks. “I love everything about England –
and especially Kent,” he said. From Cornwall to Cumbria, Lucky is
in constant demand - and it’s not difficult to see why. His smile, his energy and his enthusiasm are infectious.
And, as his humble and philanthropic
lifestyle proves, it’s not money that makes the world go around – but music.
Mid Kent Living 5
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