Online Reporter
Trust Khosa
Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
Praise and worship singer Wellington Kwenda firmly believes he was born to redeem lost souls through his calling as a musician.
After spending a decade as a choir master, choreographer, and lead composer for Zimpraise Choir from 2008 to 2018, Kwenda cherishes the memories of their impactful journey, which resonated globally.
While the credit for Zimpraise’s success will always go to chief executive Joseph Madziyire, it is important to recognise the contributions of talented individuals like Kwenda, who worked diligently to ensure that praise and worship music became a staple in Zimbabwe.
Last weekend, he participated in the Zimpraise Legacy’s 20th anniversary celebration held in London, United Kingdom. This gathering resembled a high school reunion, bringing together former Zimpraise Choir pioneers who have since become household names, including Lloyd Tevedzai, Mpostory Wency, Patience Mandizha, Melissa Makwasha, Josh Chiweda, Ellard, and Sharon Cherayi.
In an interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub, Kwenda expressed his delight as he recounted his journey as a praise and worship singer.
“I will always cherish my days at Zimpraise Choir as some of the most significant moments in my life because we made history in Zimbabwe, regionally and internationally,” he stressed.
“Of course, I have always enjoyed singing and playing the keyboard since my time in high school, alongside my childhood friend MacDonald Chidavaenzi. I have always been a praise and worship enthusiast from childhood, and I can’t stop this because it has become my lifestyle.”
Reflecting on last weekend’s reunion in London, Kwenda, who has settled well in Dallas, Texas, USA, expressed gratitude for the experience.
“It felt more like a high school reunion because we reconnected after so many years, and I was elated to be part of this group. Those who have been following the success of Zimpraise Choir can easily testify that we were born to worship. We had a large pool of talent, and I can bet my last dollar that we made an impact. Being a reputable institution, Zimpraise will continue to produce stars, but it should be mentioned without fear or favor that we made a significant impact,” reflected the former Lord Malvern High School student.
Now that he has settled in the USA, Kwenda still misses the good old days back home.
“It was not easy settling in the diaspora, where I have to adjust to the 9 AM to 5 PM work hours.
“The only relief I have is that in Dallas, we have a large community of Zimbabweans where we regularly meet and share memories. Musically, I haven’t stopped producing new material, and some of my songs like ‘Usamutendere’ and ‘Tell Somebody’ are still as wonderful as ever,” he shared.
Kwenda, who has extensively toured the UK, Canada, and the USA with Tembalami and Zimpraise Choir, believes focus has taken him places.
“If I recall my journey as an artist from my days in Zimpraise, I can safely say I have matured a lot because, despite being in a star-studded choir, there were people with big egos.
“Prevailing in such a talented environment was never easy.
“It was more like the mighty Barcelona FC, where talent was abundant, but egos needed to be managed,” chuckled the singer.
Kwenda, who turned 40 in June, recalled how he made it to the public domain.
“My headmaster at Frank Johnson Primary School, Mr. Goto, was the one who discovered my talent in the school choir.
“I had a powerful voice beyond my age, and he made me sing during the assembly. MaCdee would always compliment me, and I only realized that I had a special calling as a musician. I later joined Zimpraise from 2008 to 2018 when I relocated to the USA.
“When I left the choir, there was a bit of tension because Zimpraise made me who I am today. It was not easy separating from my friends because we had created a strong bond. However, there was nothing I could do to stop that because I had matured and needed a new challenge,” he stated.
Raised in the Evangelical Church in Zimbabwe, Kwenda, whose affairs are now managed by multiple award-winning photojournalist Desmond Kwande, believes his career is in safe hands.
“It is always refreshing to be managed by professional people who understand my vision.
“My management keeps me focused all the time, and we still find time to worship the Lord. My manager keeps pushing me to work hard so that I can reconnect with my old fans. Of course, I made an impact as a choir master at Zimpraise, but I can’t afford to rest on my laurels.”
He also gave credit to Tembalami, who encouraged him to record.
“My journey would be incomplete without mentioning the effort put in by Tembalami. We are still in touch, brewing new material, and I can’t thank him enough for what he has done for my career,” he emphasised.
Now that he has settled well overseas, Kwenda will always cherish the good memories he had back home with Zimpraise Choir.
