He was singing Culture

Thomas Mapfumo is a cultural and political hero in Zimbabwe. He created his chimurenga music during the struggle for liberation from the white minority government in the 1970s; in fact, the music's name comes from the Shona word for struggle. Mapfumo's subtle yet clear political and social messages led to his arrest by the Ian Smith government, and his music remains rooted in Shona tradition, particularly mbira (thumb piano) music that was suppressed in part out of fear of its religious power.

Mapfumo has continued to speak out against political corruption and dictatorial power, but his early support for Robert Mugabe's black government soon turned to pointed criticism in the '80s and '90s, as its policies have led to one-party rule, economic meltdown and international isolation. This also meant that Mapfumo has been forced into exile: