daniel chigunwe
Arts Correspondent
Before the recent Zimdancehall Cup Clash which was held in Harare early this month, very few would turn their heads at the mentioning of the name “Zim Pogba,” even when the name was mentioned, some were bound to dismiss it because of its configuration.
But now the name Zim Pogba is a household name in the streets, thanks to the recent cup clash which exposed his talent.
Born Tinashe Mandaza in Gweru, he did his primary school at Takwirira Primary School and then his secondary school at Chaplin High School, both in the city.
When he was in Form 3, he was chased away from Chaplin High School because of his mischievous behaviour and he was then relocated to Honde Valley to complete his Ordinary Level at Ngarura Secondary School.
When he was at Ngarura Secondary School, Zim Pogba started comedy and music.
He then relocated back to Gweru after completing his Ordinary Level and focused more on his career as an artist. In Gweru, Zim Pogba has recorded many songs and comedies under his name, but only a few people knew him, perhaps because he was out of the capital city.
His songs did not see the light of the day, somehow, but he did not lose hope.
The recent concert and the cup clash proved that Zimdancehall stars can also be born outside Harare where those pushing the genre are concentrated.
In an interview with The Herald Arts, Zim Pogba said it was now his season to rule the Zimdancehall genre. The 24-year-old singer believes it is his time to make waves and make the city of Gweru mentioned whenever Zimdancehall stars are talked about.
“It is my time to shine and make noise in the arts industry, I want to make the city of Gweru proud of me and also the city to be mentioned when people speak about Zimdancehall,” he said.
His deep-seated passion for showbiz pushed him to work hard and do some part-time jobs so that he could fund his recording fees.
At times, Zim Pogba would travel from Gweru to Harare so that he could record with some best recording studios and all the money he used was coming from his side hustles.
“Because I grew up with a passion for being a musician, on several occasions I would do anything so that I could record, he said. “I started from scratch without any sponsors, whenever I wanted a record I would dig from my pocket.
“On several occasions, I could travel from Makokoba in Gweru to Mbare in Harare so that I could meet with high-profile music producers so that I can get to the limelight very fast.” Zim Pogba said he met seasoned Zimdancehall singer Seh Calaz last month after he heard about his YALA Nation Studios.
Seh Calaz identified his talent and offered to assist him and also facilitated his name to be included in the recent cup clash.
“Seh Calaz and his YALA Nation Studios are the ones who identified me,” said Zim Pogba. “When I met them for the first time, they identified my talent and they awarded me a chance to perform at the recent cup clash.”
The talented Zimdancehall singer cum comedian said this year he was working hard to release a new album before the year ends.
He said he felt that now it was his time to nail down his name on national and international level. “I’m working very hard so that this year I must release a new album so that I can finally nail down my name in showbiz, I’m promising you big projects,” he said. Zim Pogba said he is overcome by emotions each time he takes to the stage, hence his shedding of tears when performing.
“Whenever I perform, my tears will always flow down my cheeks because I’m too emotional and too serious about my work,” he said. “It’s not something that can be choreographed, but it is natural.”
Online Reporter