“King of Kanindo” to headline Samanyanga album launch 

Dennis Chimanzi 

CELEBRATED Kenyan Kanindo musician, Dan “Mr Ongengo” Mosima, will on Thursday headline Tapiwa Samanyanga’s album launch at the Bar Rouge in Harare. 

Better-known as the “King of Kanindo,” “Mr Ongengo” is an international Kanindo star who is not only popular in East Africa, but also beyond. 

Kanindo is an East African-type of music, which was popular during the 1970s and early 1990s. 

In Zimbabwe, Kanindo was made popular by the liberation war fighters who had received their military training in East Africa, especially countries like Tanzania and Kenya. 

Titled “Rinogarira Dzese,” the 10-track album will be Samanyanga’s fourth Kanindo album.  

Among some of the musicians that are going to perform during the album launch are Romeo Gasa, Mark Ngwazi, Progress Chipfumo and Tindo Ngwazi. 

Samanyanga, who is passionate about keeping the Kanindo music genre alive, featured “Mr Ongenge” on one of the songs titled “Julie.” 

On “Love is Money,” Samanyanga featured the energetic dancer Wasu Dakoda.  

Some of the songs include “Tomo Tomo”, “Kudadirana”, “Nditsvode”, “I am feeling low”, “Babie RaJudhas” and “Kadora.” 

“Amapiano”, “Usanyengerera rudo”, “Ruvengo Rwehama”, “Ndakagarwa NeMudzimu” and “Rinogarira Dzese” are some of the songs that make up the new album. 

Born and bred in Harare’s high-density suburb of Budiriro, Samanyanga is determined to bring Kanindo back on the music radar.   

“There is too much emphasis on the Sungura, Zimdancehall and Zim hip-hop genres. Kanindo can be resuscitated. There are people out there who terribly miss this genre,” Samanyanga said. 

The promoter of the show, Munyaradzi Makombora, of Goldfinger Promotions, said Samanyanga’s album launch is part of elaborate efforts to resuscitate Kanindo. 

“We noticed that there is a market for Kanindo music, especially among the elderly and well-heeled. This album launch is part of our efforts to resuscitate Kanindo,” Makombora said. 

Local artists who popularised Kanindo include the Knowledge Kunenyati-led Kassongo Band and the Marxist Brothers, whose songs had a Kanindo influence.