Israel’s art speaks volumes.

The devoted Christian of the Assemblies of God has dedicated his life to expressing himself through art, which he believes is a calling from God.

Israel, who won the three dimensional award at the recently held NAMA awards in Bulawayo, told RelZim that his award-winning piece -”Unto us a Child was Born, Unto us a Child was Given”, portrays poverty in Africa which has become a vicious cycle.

The piece shows a thin boy holding a cup, sitting in a map shaped like Africa made out of begging bowls. The bowls are never filled due to the dependency syndrome that Africa has on the West.

“The African continent continues to beg from the West which makes the continent the one with the highest number of NGOs than any other continent in the world,” Israel said.

 “This shows that if one cup is filled while the other bowls are not filled it means that the continent remains poor and always in need of foreign aid,” he said.

The sculptor-cum-musician said that the title of the piece, taken from Isaiah chapter 9, depicts how the dependency syndrome has crippled Africa.

He said there is need of mind-set realignment in order for Africa to remove itself from the shackles of poverty which has gripped it for years.

The dreadlocked metal artiste, who is resident at the National Gallery in Bulawayo, also created a piece called “Facebook” in 2011.

The artwork, which he describes as neo-pollution, tackles the effects of Facebook on school children. The piece portrays the everyday life of a school child whose interest in studying diminishes due to the social network.

“I am saying be wary of Facebook and how it has affected society. This is a new form of pollution which is packaged in a somewhat attractive, but potentially dangerous, manner,” Israel said.

Through “Facebook”, Israel strives to awaken the community to the negative effects of excessive use of technology.

The soft-spoken artiste is set to showcase his products alongside Gweru based NAMA-winner Phoebes Mushipe as part of his plans of widening his market.

However, he bemoaned the low demand for his products on the market.

“The market is not as vibrant as it used to be. Business is very low these days, unlike in the past when we could buy houses and cars from selling our products,” Israel said.

Israel is also a musician, with a slant towards Gospel mbira music of which he recorded an album with the hit song Ofana Naye. The song praises and worships the Lord whom he says is incomparable to any other creature on earth.

But the dawn of Mudiwa Mutandwa a.k.a Mudiwa of the ‘Ndaita Mari’ fame and Flame B, onto the music scene has silenced critics who demonise and Americanise the genre.

With the young generation in mind, local hip-hop artists, believe their music is aimed at preaching the Gospel through the ‘popular culture’ of Hip Hop which many young people are fond of.

While American hip-hop gospel artists such as DaTruth and Lacre are making waves in the West, Mudiwa is riding high his song ‘Ndaita Mari’ which won him the Song of the Year Award at the Victor Awards last year. Whilst gospel prodigy Flame B’s video was number one on ZBC’s Top 50 ranking.

Following closely in the footsteps of Mudiwa is Kuwadzana-based Collin Musahwaro who is popularly known in the music circles as Collywhood.

Like his predecessors who started off singing circular music, Collywhood has morphed into a full-fledged gospel artist whose music chronicles his conversion.

Relzim.org recently caught up with the energetic singer who prides in his conversion to Christianity and making music for his Creator.“I used to be a circular hip-hop, and R&B artist. Though I haven’t changed the genre, my lyrics are now focused on preaching the gospel.” Collywhood said.

The K-Street Souls frontman, Collywhood said his change of focus came after he learnt of how American hip-hop performers are allegedly involved in cults which require them to sell their souls.
“It was not out of fear of death, but a total transformation. I really got born again and I would like to more committed to singing for God like when I used to sing circular music,” Collywhood said.

Collywhood said he would like other urban groove artists to emulate his life, by turning to God. “What profits you to be well-known in the world by the whole world — yet God does not know you? Make God happy and seek his Kingdom first,” he said.

Like in Mudiwa’s case — who was recently given a brand new Mercedes-Benz by Pentecostal Prophet Uebert Angel – their conversion has given Zimbabwean hip-hop singers fortunes.

Jaravaza believes one does not decide to sing gospel simply because he or she is vocally talented.

“Christians should have a calling before singing gospel music as it is a way of ministering. It is a concept that sees the Lord using a person to influence the lives of his children.

“Listeners should not only be entertained but ministered through music. However, it defies the whole purpose if the person is simply singing because he or she has a beautiful voice,” he said.

Jaravaza has successfully invaded the musical charts on three of the country’s radio stations. His song, “Makomborero”, has topped Radio Zimbabwe’s Gumi Dzinopisa, Star FM’s Top 20 and Power FM’s Breakfast Inspiration together with “Mufaro Chete”.

It is no surprise that the second album has registered more success than his 2003 debut project “Dzokai Vanhu Vangu” as he took time to come up with a good product on his second album.

The album consists of joyous and low tempo prayerful songs.

“Nyasha Dza Mwari”, which is a follow-up to his debut album, has a mixture of songs that will drive people into a dancing mood and the rest set you into a prayer mood.

“Many may recognise songs like ‘We Bless Your Name,’ because they are everyday songs that are sung in churches. The others are songs that I have written based on my experiences and the trials I have gone through in my life,” said Jaravaza.

Jaravaza dished out success tips to aspiring gospel artistes.

“Gospel music has evolved over the years and unlike in the past, it now ministers to non- church goers too.

“Up-and-coming artists only need to be patient in order to sustain the upward trend. They ought to take time and engage professionals in making music. If they do not have the sufficient financial backing it is better to do demos only to avoid producing half-baked albums,” he said.

Speaking to Relzim.org at the recently completed show at Mining Museum in Kwekwe (central Zimbabwe), Olivia Charamba called on the government to step up the fight against piracy.

Olivia performed with her husband Charles Charamba. They were backed by Fishers of Men

“We are urging all the people out there to buy original CDs. It is piracy that is killing our music industry in Zimbabwe.”

Brian Gomo, a fan of the Charamba’s, concurred with the gospel musicians that piracy in Zimbabwe has gone out of hand. “It’s so disheartening that these musicians took their time to produce good music but all their efforts are destroyed by piracy.”

The Charambas were joined on the stage by Chosen Generation, a Kwekwe-based group and The Wilderness Voices from Norton (ca 40 km west of Harare).

The Wilderness Voices, led by Tafadzwa Nkomo Donsa, have so far produced one album Fore-runner. The group played songs such as “Kana Auya Jesu” and “Titungamirei.”

Chosen Generation, fronted by Lilian Kwirirai, spiced the show with such songs as “Tsvaira Moyo,” “Kwairema” and “Mabasa Makuru.”

See related reading

Video: Olivia Charamba’s ‘Rute’

Early New Year treat for Charamba fans in Kwekwe

Blessing Shumba: Kwekwe’s Healing Voices should release an album

Charambas thrill fans at tourism night

Textbook piracy is burgeoning in Zimbabwe

Stephen Chigorimbo (Photo M. Chibaya)

Moses Chibaya Tell our readers about the origins of your life as Christian
Stephen Chigorimbo I was a Christian since I was 7 years old. My father was a pastor. I was brought up the Christian way. Being a real African, I was born in the rural areas. I was born among people who believed in African religion but my parents became Christians. My father and mother tought me to read the Bible and pray to God through Jesus Christ.

I got into media at church when I was 8 years old. My first experience of performing in a play was when I played Goliath (the biblical story of David and Goliath). So my whole life, my whole 62 years of life, most of it, I have been leading a Christian way of life.

Moses Chibaya How is your work in the film industry linked with your Christian faith?
Stephen Chigorimbo When I went into the media it was really an extension of me as a person. It’s a calling for me to be in the media. 

You know when some people are brought up as Christians but then sometimes they don’t make a personal commitment to be a Christian.

In my case, I made the personal commitment. So my work in the media — whether on radio, television or the press — has always been geared towards my life as a Christian, to fulfill my goals as a Christian.

I don’t just do it as a job. A lot of stuff that I have done I have not been paid for it. But to me, it’s a calling, a vocation. That’s my Garden of Eden. When one day God will stand before the judgment throne and the Almighty says, “Ok Mr Stephen, tell us what you have been doing on earth?” my work is really what I would be showing. 

There have been pluses and minuses like everything in life. There are aspects that sometimes look like they conflict with your Christian religion. I will give you an example. One day I was asked to play a part in a movie — the first feature film which I acted in — I was acting as a freedom fighter. Now when you are a freedom fighter you [might] have to kill when you face the enemy. I was 23 years old then and it was a big issue for me. — Remember 40 years ago there was not much television as there is now. — To me, being asked to play a part of a freedom fighter, performing in a killing scene, you can imagine, seemed  conflicting with me as a Christian.

I went to my father to ask him how to resolve this issue. He said to me “What is the problem? You played Goliath. Goliath was a killer.” So as long it’s acting a part, there is no problem.

I will play almost any role that I am asked to play if I am acting. There are good guys and bad guys like it is in life off-stage. When I am playing a bad guy it’s not me it’s a part I play. So I deliver and I imagine what the bad guy would be doing in a situation.

Stephen Chigorimbo (Photo M. Chibaya)

Moses Chibaya How can Zimbabwean churches use the media better for evangelization and social ministry?
Stephen Chigorimbo When Lord Jesus Christ was on earth he used the media of the time to the maximum. So anyone who is there to proclaim the gospel and does not use the media is actually failing to do the job that they are supposed to do. We should have people who write about the Christian faith. We should have people who sing. You don’t have to be preacher, you can be a singer and through that you are actually proclaiming the gospel.

Moses Chibaya How can ordinary Christians use and consume the media in a responsible way towards the betterment of the society?
Stephen Chigorimbo The media is the face of human beings. It’s how people interact. The media is our face, it’s also our ears and it’s our mouth. Christians should use the media exactly the same way. You must search for the correct sites because the sites that are not good always make themselves available. It’s you who has go to develop a culture. 

The Christian community in Zimbabwe is doing a great job of using the media. It’s God who breeds the spirit of fire in them, you know. There is definitely room for improvement. Very big room for improvement. We have only utilized probably 20-30% of what we are able to do. We need more preachers on radio, we need more preachers on television.

Moses Chibaya Some of your colleagues are of a different religion. How does interacting with the Muslims contribute to your life as a Christian?
Stephen Chigorimbo The first law that God gave us is to love one another. That love should be expressed through the love of justice. If a person is Muslim and doing something right they must be encouraged. That’s how I see it. And if a Christian is doing what is wrong they must be corrected.

I believe it is the person who is wrong whether they are Muslim or Christian. When they are corrected for doing something wrong and they say, “I don’t want to be corrected by you” that person is the one who is wrong.

I interact with followers of other religions because they are all human beings. They  are all trying to reach God. 

Let’s talk about their responsibility before Zimbabweans in need, both spiritual and material. ”Their claims that their singing is ministering the word of God its double standards,” some readers think referring to gospel artists. 

Are the gospel performers using God-given talent to put food only on their tables? Is it enough for a Christian performer to sing for two hours, collect the payment and leave to enjoy the fruits of the artistic glory?

Godwin Muzari of The Standard some weeks back reflected on this topic citing a 1980s anecdote from Mt Darwin. There a Methodist reverend was growing concerned that his young son’s mind “absorbed council bar music at a rate that stiffly competed with his capacity to grasp hymns.”

As Muzari suggests of the situation today:

We hear Pastor Charamba is assisting Peter Moyo with vocal lessons. We read that Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave is defending her performances in a pub. We have seen Fungisai collaborating with Oliver Mtukudzi and many gospel musicians sharing the stage with their secular counterparts. ..It is a fact that musicians in these genres have developed a commendable leniency for each other

This might not be a problem with me as long as our gospel stars do their best to relieve the pain (both physical as well as spiritual) that many of our comrades are experiencing today.

See related reading

The twists and turns of Apostolic choral music

“Seasons of Purpose” by Pastor Grace Jessica Chapfiwa

In Zimbabwe, Bible-reading culture keeps advancing ahead of that of general books. And not only have people embraced the Bible as a source of divine inspiration but they have also gone beyond reading to writing from the Holy Book’s inspiration.

Widely self-published, informative, interpretive and motivational Christian literature has emerged.
Two such books, Seasons of Purpose by Pastor Grace Jessica Chapfiwa and A Timeless Marriage by Nonhlanhla Siziba, recently hit the bookshops.

Both books tackle different issues and draw on personal experiences. While Seasons of Purpose revolves around African Christian history, the author’s participation in the liberation struggle and focus on children, A Timeless Marriage is a marriage manual for young and old people. It tackles issues such as the definition, purpose and expectations of marriage.

A Timeless Marriage offers solutions to distorted marriages by comparing cultural and Christian perspectives of the subject and ultimately draws answers from Bible verses and researches on the subject.

Nonhlanhla Siziba says she was prompted by the increased disintegration of marriages to write her book in which she attempts to bring back happiness into the families. She is a member of the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe, and is currently studying for a Diploma in Theology.

Her scintillating Christian book, Mother, the Destiny Connector, makes a unique approach in inspiring her protégées towards self-belief through the use of biblical teachings.

Jacqui Ndongwe argues that, “Mothers have become known to be dependable leaders. Their strategy is fearless and their tact in executing tasks supple.”

In the book Ndongwe argues that women are good strategists. I quote, “You will hardly hear a mother giving away her strategy carelessly.” She gives an analogy of the leadership qualities that were vested in Deborah, one of the female judges in the Bible who made a difference in Israel. Deborah used her leadership prowess through being a mother, wife, prophetess and a judge. She led a war that made Israel free from her enemy.

The author is a single mother whose bias is towards women. Speaking to RelZim.org, Ndongwe said that single women should be independent and believe in themselves. “Women can do without a man up to a certain stage in life. They should believe in themselves because of the great resilience and hard work that they possess. This can be achieved through positive self-talk and self-development that is investing in the future.”

She added that women should however submit to their husbands. 

The new book heralds a woman’s position, responsibility of connecting the children to their destiny, in the face of various challenges. The author uses the biblical examples to inspire mothers to show how they can align their children’s destinies according to God’s plan. The book also encourages mothers to be aware of their children’s challenges, hence assisting them accordingly.

 As a skills developer and executive director at Dynamic Skills Foundation, Jacqui Ndongwe has dedicated her time to developing materials for improving the lives of women through literature. 

Ndongwe studied at the University of Zimbabwe. 

Published in 2011, Mother, the Destiny Connector is set to inspire women to think about living a legacy for the next generation.

Amai Rwizi holding an award. Photo courtesy of Panorama Magazine

Province, Susan Chenjerai (Mai Rwizi) is one of the many pastors who routinely read verses from the Bible. But to the majority of Zimbabweans, she is arguably one of the nation’s best actresses, who dazzled television viewers in the Mukadota drama series in the 1980s. She acted alongside comedian-cum-musician, Safirio Madzikatire (Mukadota). Back then, The Mukadota Family sitcom was one of the leading television programmes that could keep many households glued to their screens.

No one ever imagined that Mai Rwizi, whose natural flair on stage before making the big break in front of the lens made her an instant hit with the audience, would one day abandon the screen for the pulpit.

“Let me put on my best shoes to make an impression to your readers if you publish my story in your newspaper,” she joked, as she prepared herself for a photo shoot with the media. Talking to her, one cannot help noticing that she has not lost her humour, as she makes it a habit to leave people in stitches whenever she opens her mouth.

“Many people thought I was dead but I am still alive and now a full-time pastor at The New Gospel Church of God that my husband Lovemore Bope formed several years ago,’’ she said with a mischievous smile on her face. 

Although she made a name for herself on TV, with producers, film directors, family and fans still yearning for her comeback, Mai Rwizi has vowed never to bounce back into acting again. “I cannot go back to acting because the Lord called me and I cannot serve two masters at the same time. Acting was not rewarding and I achieved nothing despite the fame we achieved together with the late Mukadota,” she further explained.

And true to her word, there is a sad story between her and Madzikatire despite the glamourous career they shared. “Bhudhi [Mukadota] signed contracts on all the songs I composed and now I cannot lay claim to my songs because I did not personally sign for the songs. I’m the one who composed the hit song ‘KwaHanyani’,” she said.

Mai Rwizi, who cannot remember her exact age, believes that she was born sometime in the mid-1940s. She is a mother of five and has 44 grandchildren as well as great-grandchildren.