Gospel Musician Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave takes piracy head-on selling her music CDs on the streets in Harare (Photo: Moses Chibaya)

THis year will go down as a memorable one for popular musician, Fungisai Zvakavapano-Mashavave, as she scooped two more awards at the annual of Prophets Emmanuel and Ruth Makandiwa Invitational Concert (Permican) Awards on Friday at City Sports Centre, Harare.

It appears her collaboration with dancehall star, Killer T on the song Vanondibatirana is doing wonders, as all the two gongs she won are courtesy of the duet that was nominated in the Best Collaboration and Most Viewed Song of The Year categories.

Zvakavapano-Mashavave had five nominations — Album Of The Year, Video Of The Year (I Belong To Jesus), Best Female Artiste, Best Collaboration (Vanondibatirana, which she collaborated with dancehall icon Killer T) and Most Viewed Song of The Year — at the awards that honour gospel musicians and music producers for their dedication and contribution in spreading the gospel through music.

This is the third award for the 35-year-old singer this year, having had to deal with a dry spell, despite her nomination in several awards, though she would miss come final day.

The awards come as Zvakavapano-Mashavave is still relishing her recent Musician of the Year gong that she scooped at the Zimbabwe International Women’s Awards (Ziwa) held in Leicester, the United Kingdom.

The Makomborero hitmaker told NewsDay yesterday that although she felt honoured that her works were being recognised, 2016 has been a difficult year.

“It has been 16 years in the music industry/ministry and I had become used to just being a nominee. I was now convinced I could never surpass that level, but God changed my story. I have, therefore, won these awards for every fellow female artiste, who gave up their dream to social cohesion. These awards are my faith story and I will stick to it. Thanks to everyone, who has been used by God to change my story,” she said.

“When I compose songs, I do it without expecting that one day, they will win awards. I want to thank all the fans who support my work. It is because of their support that has seen me winning these awards. I believe this year, God has done wonders for me in terms of my musical career, as the long wait for the awards finally came to an end.”

Zvakavapano-Mashavave attributed her success to the combination of her compositions and her voice texture, which she said is unique.

“My success has been because I carried out my task with all my heart and waited upon God for justification and vindication. I am glad I have been faithful to myself and God, such that I will not grow old a bitter woman, who failed to follow her dream,” she said.

Zvakavapano-Mashavave has proven her mettle in the gospel genre, with 14 albums under her name and has performed at big concerts, both regionally and internationally.