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Joel Tsvakwi, Sunday Life Correspondent
FOR most Zimbabwean artistes both seasoned and up and coming if they manage to go international with their music careers, South Africa is usually the gateway.
In a different twist of events, up-and-coming Afro jazz crooner, Isaac Mwanza aka Weatherman, has found his music making inroads in Namibia and it has since opened networks for growth for him.
Mwanza said he was happy that his music managed to entice the respected Small Vashe — a popular and respected; AfroPop, Kwaito, Namibian producer cum artiste who earned his respect working with South Africa’s Patricia Majalisa.
While busy trying to position his music back home, Mwanza is upbeat that his sound managed to miraculously penetrate the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) western country.
In an interview, he could not hide his ecstasy as he has since sealed a deal which will see him making duets and collabos with the Namibian.
Mwanza’s popular single, Phendula, a duet with popular South African songbird Zahara, made him discoverable in Namibia.
“My brother who works in Namibia was playing my music and Vashe’s uncle heard it and took the tracks to Small who eventually fell in love with my sound and he requested for my contacts and one thing led to another.
“Two months ago, I had to visit Namibia, and spent long hours in his studio and we managed to record five tracks. As a musician my dream is for my music to be played and accepted worldwide.
“Working with foreign artistes makes that dream a step closer because I have tapped into their experiences, knowledge and talents to make my music more Pan African and a brand name across Africa and this is the gateway to conquering the world,” said the lanky artiste.
Mwanza described the Namibian as a rare breed of an artiste who has music running in his blood.
“I think this is to do with a strong music background, his father Vashe Ponte is a great musician and his uncle Papa Grey is equally a respected music guru and Chief Executive Officer of PG records where Small is a producer,” said Mwanza.
Online Reporter