Yesteryear musician Knowledge Kunenyati of the famous Kasongo Band, recently left ZAOGA congregants shocked as he narrated his promiscuous past experiences, at a service in Chitungwiza.

Knowledge Kunenyati with wife (Photo courtesy of ZBC)

Kunenyati is a member of the ZAOGA church where he also works as a messenger. “I cannot recall the number of women I slept with during my time. If they were to line up here, the queue would be endless. I was promiscuous but I thank the Lord for saving me.”

Kunenyati is the only surviving member of the original Kasongo Band. “To me, it is unbelievable that I am the only survivor of all the 16 band members I worked with. I am not ashamed to say most of my workmates died of sexually transmitted illnesses. AIDS has killed and is killing musicians, but I thank God that I escaped this deadly disease,” Kunenyati said. “I am here every day and I get help from the church all the time.” He also doubles as a member of the church’s praise and worship team.

When NewsDay visited the church, he had gone to buy fuel for the church generator. For some, it is unbelievable that from being part of a star-studded band featuring the likes of Ketai Muchawaya, Marko Sibanda and Jackey Ncube, Kunenyati would trade sungura for the gospel.

Kasongo Band dominated the airwaves in the 1980s with such hits as “Fundo Inokosha,” “Asante Sana,” “Pamabasa” and “Kuguta Kushanda,” among others.

However, while many expected he would rejuvenate the band, he said he had “repented.” “I repented at my last show in Muzarabani in 1999. God made this possible considering how badly we used to behave at our performances,” Kunenyati said.

To reinforce his Damascene turnaround, Kunenyati is now a proud holder of a Diploma from the ZAOGA Bible School in Harare.

Last year, he released his latest album “Kutendeuka Nekudzikinurwa,” a gospel album which he said was a hallmark of his new-found love.