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Limukani Ncube
Moses Mpofu, originally known for his contribution to imbube music, has indeed made headlines for his transition from a musician to a prominent figure in the business world in Zimbabwe.
His journey reflects an intriguing shift from artistic endeavours to securing large-scale tenders and contracts. In Zimbabwe, where the tendering process for large projects can be highly competitive, Mpofu’s move into this arena suggests a strategic leveraging of his personal brand and influence.
Mpofu’s story exemplifies how people can pivot from their original careers into other sectors, using their established reputation and connections to explore new opportunities.
However, many would know Mpofu for his exploits and legal battles in the business world, more than they would know of his musical talent as a member of Ihawu Lesizwe imbube group, which was formed in Bulawayo in 1990 and relocated to Harare in 1993. Although Mpofu, who sang bass, is no longer part of the world travelled group, he is still considered one of the pioneers of the group which he joined as a youth in Nkulumane, Bulawayo, before he relocated with the group to Harare in search of fame and gold.
Ihawu Lezizwe, which had another high-profile television personality now based in South Africa, Nkululeko Chunky Phiri, is known for its distinctive take on traditional acappella music which originated from South Africa, and is widely known there as Isicathamiya. Their name, Ihawu Lesizwe, translates to “The Nation’s Shield,” reflecting their role in preserving and promoting the imbube genre.
Ihawu LeSizwe’s style stays true to the traditional imbube sound, featuring rich harmonies and a strong acapella tradition. Like other imbube groups, they focus on complex vocal arrangements, with prominent use of bass lines and harmonising voices. However, the group has transitioned its founding members to a Board of Trustees role, paving the way for a new generation of talented artistes to join their ranks.
“The first members of Ihawu Lesizwe who are still there are Timothy Mlalazi, Ephraim Ncube, Thabani D Moyo, Thamsanqa Nyathi, Nkululeko Chunky Phiri and Moses Mpofu and we all are now elevated to being Board of Trustees and we will be managing Ihawu Lesizwe Arts Foundation. From our inception till now as a group, we have done quite a number of projects. One of those which we can safely say made us known and gave us a breakthrough was when we participated in the Power of Movie which featured Morgan Freeman (American actor) in 1991,” Mlalazi, who is the leader of the group, was quoted as saying by our sister paper, Chronicle a few years back.
Their dreams soon took flight upon relocating to Harare, as they won many national awards and got many commercial contracts. Their first international tour in 1997 saw them grace stages in Germany, Sweden, France, and Netherlands, among others. However, the group faced challenges as founding members, including Mpofu, pursued individual paths, leading to a temporary hiatus, although they are back in action with additional new members.
Ihawu Lesizwe’s achievements are numerous. They participated in the renowned Power of Movie featuring Morgan Freeman in 1991, won a prize that facilitated their first European tour at the Music Crossroads Zimbabwe in 1997, and provided soundtracks and choreography for the Italian TV series Thinking About Africa. Their musical contributions extend to television commercials and community awareness campaigns, tackling issues like HIV/Aids, malaria, and diabetes. They have released albums that include Tshova and Sesikhona Njalo, with hits like Sweet Dreams, and collaborated with renowned musicians like Muzi Mangena and the late Oliver Mtukudzi.
Many people might know their captivating commercial jingle: “Yi OK Grand Challenge Jackpot promotion, asipo haapo, ongekho kakho, Yi OK Grand Challenge Jackpot promotion!”
While the group is now based back home in Bulawayo, Mpofu (49), is in the capital, where he is facing mounting legal battles that have kept him in remand prison for a number of months. Together with business partner, Mike Chimombe (43), they face fraud charges, for among others, irregularly getting tenders and failing to provide what they would have been contracted to supply. The money involved runs into millions of United States dollars.
However, from a humble background in Nkulumane and Nketa in Bulawayo, his social media catalogue now shows his taste for finesse while in and outside the country, surrounded by the glitters of this world. In 2022, Mpofu chose the tranquillity of a farm setting to celebrate his 47th birthday on a Saturday and Sunday with a number of A-Listers, on the Harare’s social scene in attendance. The guests slept in tents at Juluka Farm in Mapinga and were entertained by a number of artistes, including South African performer, MaWhoo.
In 2017, as part of his philanthropic work through the Moses Mpofu Foundation, he donated drugs to Ingutsheni Central Hospital in Bulawayo. He said the donation was a way of giving back to an institution that took care of his mother.
“When I was born in 1975, my mother developed a mental challenge and she literally spent half of her life in this facility. It was not easy, we faced a lot of challenges as a family, hence I decided that I would help this facility because we benefited a lot from it during my mother’s illness.”
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