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By Fatima Bulla
EVER thought of Shuvai Wutawunashe’s whereabouts, that gospel artiste who fronted The Family Singers?
Well, she says that although she has been away from the limelight, she has never stopped singing because music is her life.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail Religion during the African Revival Easter Conference, Wutawunashe expressed her love for music.
“I have been around and I have never stopped singing. That’s my life. I love it and it’s a necessary part of my work. Anything I do, I sing for God. I have been seeing to a lot of people on the streets and they ask where I have been because they haven’t seen me on television for a long time.
The Family Singers, founded from a duet between Shuvai and would be husband, Jonathan; were the first gospel groups to popularise gospel music in Zimbabwe.
Shuvai’s track “Tarira Nguva” become an instant hit upon its release in 1982 on a scene that had been dominated by the likes of Jordan Chataika, Freedom Sengwayo and Baba Mechanic Manyeruke.
It was the beginning of a journey that went on to span for over two decades.
Even the diplomatic missions that her husband embarked on did not deter the couple’s passion for music.
As a result of that feat, her husband earned himself the title ‘Singing Ambassador’.
“My husband and I have been in diplomacy since 1980.
He is one of the senior ambassadors and he was posted by President Mugabe to Washington DC for many years.
“We lived there and they used to call him the ‘Singing Ambassador’. When you don’t hide who you are, it makes way for you. Music would get us into places that we would normally not get into,” she said.
After eight years in Washington DC, the couple returned home. They were then posted to Belgium before going for another diplomatic mission in India.
“When we began it was ministry, we thought our music was inspiring so we couldn’t keep it. That’s how we started recording. We wanted it to go into people’s cars, to people’s homes and to people’s phones,”
And so the couple ministered through music.
“We would see people coming to Christ with testimonies. Someone would say, ‘Oh you know I had almost divorced but this song helped me. You know I was sick when you sang this song, Jesus healed me.’
“So this really spurred us on. And that’s how the ministry spread. Wherever our professions took us, we carried our music,” Wutawunashe added.
She said there are plans to release more music by the end of this year.
Going down memory lane, Wutawunashe said her gift gained root when she gave her life to Christ at the age of 22.
“My love for God gave me that capacity to sing and that joy, that desire that if I sing I will please not only God but I will lift up someone through my message in song,” she explained.
She said their music was sustained by the message it carried.
“We went into the studio, we recorded and before we knew it, it was all over the airwaves. It was an uplifting voice, I think that was the most important thing. People wanted a message that was uplifting, that build up someone, that can point people somewhere.
“lf you are a gospel musician, always keep the message central. Gospel music is about people, things that are tangible in people’s lives. If your gospel music is not about people’s lives then stop.
“It must help someone, it must uplift someone, so I urge people to put content from the Bible, from experiences with Christ, from the knowledge of God.
lt must be a message that can change someone’s mind if they are thinking of commiting suicide. lt must make someone love the next person,” she said. Wutawunashe, who is now a grandmother of three, said being a grandmother has given her more energy.
“I have more energy than I had before. I have three lovely grandkids who call me mbuya (granny).
“When you love something, you have a vision for it, a passion for it and that keeps you going.
“I am still writing songs. l am very energetic and singing everywhere,” she said.
Online Reporter