Online Reporter
Trust Khosa-Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
KWEKWE-BASED praise and worship singer, Julia Nyengera, has singled out gospel diva Olivia Charamba as her role model.
Better known as Mai Charamba, the diva has been celebrating 30 years in the industry, performing alongside her husband, Pastor Charles Charamba, and continues to serve as a role model.
In an interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub, the 38-year-old, who is riding high with her new single “Joshua”, hailed Mai Charamba as an epitome of consistency, resilience and perfection.
“I always look up to Mai Charamba as a role model, considering her journey and where she has come from as a singer,” Nyengera stated. “If I recall her journey, she started singing in a praise and worship team, during crusades, and eventually met her husband and got married.
“It has been quite an inspirational journey because she has not only excelled in music but has also become a role model in gospel music circles. If I were to meet her, I would gladly thank her for paving the way for those of us who came after her.”
Nyengera, a church leader alongside her husband, Pastor Tobias Nyengera of Heal The World Ministries, noted that she has always been a gifted vocalist and composer.
“I have two albums to my name: “Jesu Wangu,” released in 2013, and “Jesu Wakanaka,” completed in 2019. Although I have spent much of my time singing in church, I don’t regret any of this because it has always been part of my ministry,” she emphasised.
The mother of five, who has been spending much of her time counselling couples in Kwekwe, acknowledged that she has an important role to play in transforming people’s lives.
“Besides music, I am a church pastor and entrepreneur who always finds enough time to share the word of God with others. I also help people through counselling sessions, and I thoroughly enjoy what I am doing at the moment because it is God’s calling.”
Outlining her vision, Nyengera vowed to touch the hearts of many with her music.
“My vision is expressed in my single “Joshua,” which encourages people to find strength in the Lord at all times.
“I am using my talent to promote this narrative, and it is my vision to ensure that many people are saved and come to know the Lord. Spreading the word of God across nations is the vision I am pursuing, and my wish is to achieve international recognition,” she noted.
Born in Bindura into a family of four as the first born, Nyengera told Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub that she has always wanted to lead by example.
“I was raised in a God-fearing family where worshipping the Lord was our priority. I used to sing in the church choir, and I have always enjoyed what I was doing, which is why I later became the singer, pas-tor, and counsellor I am today as part of serving the Lord,” she recalled.
Despite her passion for music, her parents encouraged her to focus on her studies.
“My parents always wanted me to prioritise education, despite my talent as a singer, because they believed that my education should complement the Christian life I was leading. This was the best advice I received in life, and I am also imparting the same values to my children,” she pointed out. She continued:
“After completing my Ordinary Levels at Hermann Gmeiner High School in Bindura, I proceeded to Kwekwe High for my Advanced Levels. After high school, I enrolled at Heal The World Ministries under the leadership of Chrispen Mahovo and pursued pastoral studies. I am a qualified pastor who can minister to the masses, but I remain grounded.
