FORTY YEARS AGO, NYAMI NYAMI SOUNDS RELEASED A REAL GEM

H-Metro Reporter

FORTY years ago, the number one track on the annual ZBC Radio 2 charts was Nyami Nyami Sounds’ hit song ‘Fundo Inokosha.’

Back then, the Kariba-based group was one of the best musical outfits in the country amid the euphoria which greeted the arrival of Independence.

‘Fundo Inokosha’ was their second number one hit song in two years after first topping the charts with ‘Dhora Rangu’ in 1982.

This was Nyami Nyami Sounds at their very best and the climax of their rise into one of the top local bands at the time.

‘Fundo Inokosha” was a celebration of the importance of education and the advent of free education in the country at Independence.

The group had begun as a boy band, which was called Angoni Family, but transformed into Nyami Nyami Sounds which featured Moses Zhakata, Mussa Makasu, Richard Mapfuwamhandu and Sam Mkwesha.

They were the resident band at Zambezi Valley Hotel and they were under the management of John Makuni.

However, after their golden age, Nyami Nyami Sounds went into decline and, five years ago, our sister newspaper, The Herald, revealed that some of the band members were now wallowing in abject poverty.

Others had died along the way.

When the band collapsed, some of the members went on to join Hurungwe Sounds in the late ‘80s.

However, they never touched the heights of the ‘80s and reports emerged that stars like Mkwesha had fallen on hard times in Karoi.

But, for a golden period in the ‘80s, Nyami Nyami Sounds were part of the cast of the top musical groups in this country.

HALL OF FAME

1981 Gwindingwi Rineshumba – Thomas Mapfumo

1982 Dhora Rangu – Nyami Nyami Sounds

1983 Too cheap – Devera Ngwena Jazz Band

1984 Fundo Inokosha – Nyami Nyami Sounds

1985 Hapana Chisingapere – Sungura Boys

1986  Kuroja Chete – Bhundu Boys

1987 Sharai – Leonard Dembo

1988 Rudo Imoto – Marshal Munhumumwe

1989 Vanemazita – Leonard Dembo

1990 Nguva Yakaoma – Simon Chimbetu

1991 Chitekete – Leonard Dembo

1992 Murambinda – Paul Mpofu

1993 Nyaradzo – Ngwenya Brothers

1994 Mugove – Leonard Zhakata

1995 Unochemei –  Leornard Zhakata

1996 Matsotsi Haagerani – Marko Sibanda

1997 Zvibate Pamhaka – Pengaudzoke

1998 Dzandipedza Mafuta – Simon Chimbetu

1999 Mhinduro Iriko – Charles Charamba

2000 Mundikumbuke – Alick Macheso

2001 Ndaiwana Hama – Noel Zembe

2002  Tsaona – Pengaudzoke

2003 Madhawu – Alick Macheso

2004 Makomborero – Hossia Chipanga

2005 Samson – Cephas Mashakada

2006 Idya Banana – Joseph Garakara

2007 Wakanaka – Tongai Moyo

2008 Amai Vevana – Gift Amuli

2009 This Time – Josphat Somanje

2010 Mai Ngaa – Freddy Manjalima Kapfupi

2011 Tafadzwa – Alick Macheso

2012 Chirangano – Jah Prayzah

2013 Macharangwanda – Alick Macheso

2014 Dhonza Makomborero –  Leonard Zhakata

2015 Chimwe Nechimwe – Blessing Shumba

2016 Madam Boss – Leonard Zhakata

2017 My Season – Blessing Shumba

2018 Matishamisa – Rev Chivaviro

2019 Tenda – John Munodawafa

2020 Taurai Madzoka – Mark Ngwazi

2021 Kujatajata – Bio Mudimba

2022 Makazvinzwa Kupi –  Alick Macheso

2023 Huruyadzo – Tindo Ngwazi