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FORMER Alick Macheso drummer, Obert Gomba, says he has settled well in South Africa where he is mentoring fellow Zimbabweans.
The drummer, who used to be a vital cog of Orchestra Mberikwazvo, before he left the outfit, has been holding a series of workshops on drumming and sound engineering in Mzansi.
On August 27, he is set to host a drumming and sound engineering workshop in Germiston. He will be supported by fellow Zimbabwean drummer, Ranga the Black Horse, and South African percussionist, Thapelo Kutoane, aka Mostafa.
In an interview with H-Metro, Gomba, who has worked with several groups back home, said he was looking forward to the event.
“It’s a one-day workshop that we are planning to hold at No. 280 Meyer Street in Germiston opposite the AFM Church in South Africa where we normally hold our sessions.
“Registration is still in progress with drummers and sound engineers set to pay R100 to participate. We want to help drummers and sound engineers with new tips and requirements in this ever evolving industry,” he said.
He added: “We have held similar projects at home when I was still in Zimbabwe but I feel I can still take it to South Africa and help fellow Zimbabweans here.
“There is a big Zimbabwean community that we cannot afford to ignore.”
Gomba gave H-Metro his brief profile.
“I was born in Zimbabwe on the 28th of October 1980. Musically, my journey started in 1997, after completing Ordinary Level.
“Like any other teen, who loved music, I used to play homemade drums from used tins, owing to the financial challenges, to get real drums,” he said.
Gombo reckons his breakthrough came in 2000, when he joined Peter Tazvida, after the death of System, in 1999.
“My biggest breakthrough came in 2000 when I joined Peter Tazvida and recorded Panopfungaira Pane Moto.
“Sadly, Peter died before we could start another project and I had no choice but to join Leonard Zhakata, which was a brilliant move. In 2003, I joined Orchestra Mberikwazvo, led by Alick Macheso.
“Through showcasing my drumming skills with the band, I was nicknamed ‘Mabhanan’ana,’ meaning thunderstorm.”
To date, he has toured countries like South Africa, England, Australia and the United States of America. He was part of the cast for the album ‘‘Vapupuri Pupurayi’’ (2005), which made him a darling of the Macheso’s fans.
He left Macheso in 2017 and settled in South Africa. Prior to that, he organised a rare festival, parading drummers from other bands.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter