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that one day he would earn his living from music.
To him, being part of the school choir – where he was the lead vocalist – was just a way of enhancing his abilities, so that he could edify his singing in church.
But looking back, Charles can safely conclude that God was preparing him to contribute to his ministry through music.
“I had a passion for music, but I never thought that I would actually become a professional musician,” said Charles in an interview yesterday.
Although he led the school choir to represent Zimbabwe in Germany in 1995, the momentous occasion was all history when he went into high school.
“During my high school years, I completely forgot about music, and instead focused on my academic studies.
“I kept telling myself that I was not meant for music, I just didn’t picture myself as a musician, at any level,” Charles recalled.
However, his passion for music was to be rekindled years after he met Albert Nyathi during a talent identification workshop, sponsored by Hivos.
“It dawned on me that no matter how hard I tried to suppress my passion in music, I just loved it.
“I then realised that I needed to perfect my music I eventually enrolled at the Zimbabwe College of Music to study ethnomusicology,” he enthused.
Because he was not keen on becoming a performer, he devoted most of his time to administrative projects, after he graduated from the college.
Among the projects that he worked on was being the music director at Twin Rivers School.
In between, he would also play as a session musician – though at low-profile gigs.
“My breakthrough in music came after I joined Umoja.
“It was with Umoja that both my talent and confidence were taken to another level. I was groomed and turned into a professional musician.
“This actually came as a shock to me because even though I had taken a deliberate decision to venture into music, I still didn’t want to become a performer.
“You see, I had always fancied being in event management, because I am good at co-ordinating events.
“Even after I had graduated I wanted to remain in the background.
“I still felt that I could still remain in the background – behind the scenes – and being involved in show promotions, nurturing talent among youths through coaching.”
His growing profile was magnified when he joined Oliver Mtukudzi as a marimba player in 2007, during which time he lived and breathed music, up to this year, when along with his wife, Namatai Mubariki, he left the Black Spirits, giving birth to Chalenam Band.
The affable young man boasts the ability to play any instrument that is laid before him, all with equal skill.
Having mastered many instruments through formal and self-training, the youthful musician has since released his debut album, which is doing well on both local and regional radio stations.
He is now definitely his own man and just to prove that he is no longer a rookie, Mr and Mrs Chipanga will this Friday join one of Zimbabwe’s highly revered gospel couples – Charles and Olivia Charamba – in a gospel show to be held at the 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale.
This will be the Chipangas debut public performance following their exit from The Black Spirits.
Like the true “soldier” he has become, Charles says his band is well prepared for their two-hour performance on Friday night.
“We are going to give our best, and I just want to thank the Lord for what has been happening to us,” he said.
Dubbed the “Gospel Night,” the show will start at 7pm and finish at 11pm, during which gospel lovers will be treated to the sounds of Chalenam Band and the Fishers of Men.
Online Reporter