Chipanga: A man of many talents

Chipanga is a man of many talents and his humility and zeal to excel is written all over his face. He is not content with leaving the wheel as round as it is, but would rather try to “re-invent” it so that it can roll well.
Despite possessing several professional qualifications, Chipanga opted to venture into music, whose passion he developed as a young boy.
“I enrolled with the Zimbabwe College of Music to study ethnomusicology. I was also part of Umoja Youth Camp and I used to sing there. In fact, I was part of the pioneering group of artistes of that project and that’s how my music career took off,” he recalls.
But that is not all as his love for the arts saw him trying his hand in other genres like theatre and poetry.
Call him a jack of all trades and a master of them all!
“I took part in almost every arts sector including theatre and public speaking in high school in Kadoma.
“I did some poetry workshops with Albert Nyathi which were sponsored by Hivos and, believe it or not, I have also done operas.
“Working with Nyathi was an eye-opener for me. He is the one who exposed me to studio recording apart from teaching me stage presentation. Nyathi is very natural on stage and his performances are engrossing.
“He taught me that music is not just singing but it should have the power to entertain people,” he said.
Chipanga said he was grateful for having a wife who understood the power of music and how they complemented each other on stage, in the studio and other endeavours in life.
“That’s where we complement each other well with my wife (Namatai). She is a better vocalist than I am, and this makes us a complete package. I don’t want to sound as if I am bragging, but I think I am one of those local artistes who pioneered the fusion of marimba with contemporary music because with marimba it’s usually the traditional feel.
“I brought marimba into Tuku Music and I think I managed to do it well because of the course I undertook at the Zimbabwe College of Music,” he said.
Chipanga said he believes in taking risks in everything that he does, and this is clear from the way that he also runs a number of businesses apart from his music career.
“I always try to find a way of making myself and music unique. I put my head on the block; I take risks to be different from the next person. Last year, I decided to honour gospel music legends like Machanic Manyeruke, Charles Charamba, Mahendere Brothers, the late Brian Sibalo and Oliver Mtukudzi.
“These are the people who have made the music road easy for us. We also introduced an initiative called the Gospel Hub which gives gospel musicians and gospel music lovers a chance to interact once every month,” he said.
Chipanga and Namatai run a chain of businesses that include a taxi company, event management, voice coaching, marimba and dance lessons.
“You should be original, innovative and believe in yourself. Take risks that are spiritually led and don’t doubt what God has put in you,” he said.
Last year, Chipanga launched his album “Prayer Expose”.