This 42-year-old dreadlocked Rasta has not cut his hair for the past 18 years! His name is Grigs Maphosa and he wears many hats in life.

He is a reggae artist, a spiritual counsellor and a weaver. Commonly known as Ras Maphosa, Grigs originally hails from Masvingo in Zimbabwe, but he is now a common figure in the border town of Musina, where he is settling for greener pastures.

As a performing artist, Ras Maphosa has one album under his belt, called Mandela. “The album was recorded in Chaseman Studios in Mozambique. I dedicated the album to Nelson Mandela because, according to me, he is the greatest man who ever lived in our modern times,” he said while swinging his long dreadlocks.

He says the album is doing well in Zimbabwe and Mozambique and it has also started receiving airplay on Musina Community Radio. “It has been received well by music lovers, and I’m happy that people like my music. I was influenced by the music of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh many years ago and that is how I fell in love with reggae music. My album comprises songs like Mandela, Blackman Story, Funeka, Too Late, Unity and Melania and  two additional dub sessions. I mostly preach peace, love and unity in my songs because Jah loves us all in this world. The vision  and ability of our father, Marcus Garvey, to unite people made me follow suit.”

He says there is much more to being a true Rasta. “The beliefs of the Rastafarians are often misunderstood. To many, anyone who has dreads, smokes ganja, and plays reggae music is a Rasta. Rastafarianism is more than just a religion.  It is a movement and a way of life. The Rasta life style is one of peace, love and unity.”

Asked if he would consider cutting his dreadlocks in future, the defiant Ras Maphosa said: “No razor blade on my head until I die. This is my identity and all my powers and thinking ability are vested in my dreadlocks. I will definitely go to my grave with my beloved dreadlocks.”