I was a victim of distortion: Zhakata SHARON MUGUWU • 4 JANUARY 2015 HARARE - Veteran musician Leonard Zhakata, whose two songs Dhonza Makomborero and Dollar Boy topped the annual Radio Zimbabwe Coca Cola Top 50, says at long last Zimbabweans now genuinely understand his music. The Mugove singer told the Daily News that in the past, misinterpretation of his well- meaning music caused national radio stations to shun his music. “For quite some time, I don’t know if I wasn’t being voted for or something else was happening. My music was misinterpreted,” said Zhakata. “ To expect the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) to be giving awards to such music which was viewed in ‘bad’ light was asking too much of them. In fact, they did not play my music.” Zhakata, whose 1994 album Maruva Enyika sold more than 120 000 copies, said the misinterpretation of his music created an award drought for him between 2000 and 2009. “The last win we had was in 2000 for Video of the Year on TV for the song Pakuyambuka. Prior to that from 1994 we were winning either on radio or on television. But it suddenly stopped in 2000,” he said. The 46-year-old musician also believes that he secured first and second positions on the Radio Zimbabwe Coca Cola Top 50 due to the loyalty of his fans who never gave up on his music despite the unfair treatment he was being subjected to for many years “I guess the fans were voting vigorously for us this year resulting in the win. I think my fans and the media also played a big role in my getting the awards. I also thank Radio Zimbabwe for allowing people to have their say in the voting process, allowing my fans to vote in their numbers,” he said. Zhakata also attributed his change of fortunes to his recent venture into gospel music. “I think my winning also has to do with the gospel stance I have taken. What I have noticed is that anything that has to do with God works out well. I merged my talent with the gospel and it is doing wonders,” he said. “I know some people who turned to God after witnessing my conversion to Christianity. It is the first time that I have won with two songs from the same album claiming the top two positions, and for that I am grateful. My music has never been entirely secular it has always celebrated living and listening to God.” The award-winning musician also clarified his role in the United Family International Church (UFIC) led by Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa. “I have a pastoral duty at UFIC though I did not attend school for that. I was anointed by Prophet (Makandiwa). He is a teacher of the word of God so I benefit from his teachings as well as from attending pastoral seminars that help me in my work as well,” he said.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 06:25:02 +0000
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