Online Reporter
Robin Muchetu, Lifestyle, Health and Gender Editor
WHEN you find a wife, a mother, a backing vocalist and a chef in one woman, consider yourself a lucky man.
This is the story of Kennedy Ndambakuwa, a rising Afro-soul musician who is steadily making a name for himself in the music scene while defying gender stereotypes that confine women solely to traditional roles as mothers, nurturers, carers and homemakers.
He performs and travels with his wife, Nomatter Sana, who doubles as a backing vocalist and the band’s chef.
Based in Harare, the musician, known on stage as Ken WahMambo, recently made his debut performance in Bulawayo, where he delivered his hit track Zvikomborero, among others, at a wedding in the city.
He said the discovery of his wife’s musical talent was an unexpected delight that has since elevated his performances.
“I only recently started singing with her, although we’ve been together for seven years. I knew she sang at church, yes, but I never imagined she’d be confident enough to perform publicly. I once asked her to join me at a birthday gig and record a video of my performance. While doing so, she spontaneously began singing in the background. It sounded so good that I posted the video on social media, it went viral and received 2,6 million views. People were asking who the backing vocalist was. One of my managers insisted we bring her on board, and just like that, she became part of the band,” said Ken WahMambo.
When asked how the arrangement is working out, he said collaborating with his wife has been a joy, especially as she fulfils multiple roles, backing vocalist and talented chef, for the group.
“If your partner is talented, there’s no harm in involving them. Right now, we’re here in Bulawayo performing, and she’s also cooking for us. Having a supportive partner makes the working relationship much smoother.
“We travel together, and she knows exactly what I’m doing when I say I’m at a show, because she’s right there with me. My family is also supportive. It creates a safe environment, knowing I’m with her by my side,” he added.
Nomatter, in turn, said she relishes her expanded roles as they allow her to spend more time with her husband while he’s working. She began singing in church and says her marriage and music have never been more in harmony.
“We got married in 2018, and I never imagined I’d be singing and travelling with him. At first, I’d just attend his shows for support, but now we’re working together as a family. I admire his talent and we even write songs together sometimes. Understanding his work first-hand reduces the kinds of conflicts people often face when one partner is a musician and the other isn’t. I also enjoy cooking for the band — they eat healthier when I’m around,” said Nomatter.
She has also recently begun sharing her culinary skills by opening a training school for aspiring chefs, and has found a way to balance her many roles, including being a daughter-in-law.
“They all know I’ll cook at family gatherings, and I also entertain by singing at these events. I’m a mother too, and we’ve found a good balance,” she said.
Ken WahMambo released Zvikomborero (Blessings) in 2021 — a track he initially didn’t promote heavily, but which ended up becoming a fan favourite and a turning point in his career.
“I started singing in church. I’m a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and also used to sing in the school choir at Ellis Robbins Boys High School. I was part of various a cappella groups — I was that kid who was always in the choir. I started recording professionally in 2017, and my first EP, Songs of Solomon, came out in 2019. I then released my first full album, Tsime re Rudo, in 2021,” he explained.
The musical journey hasn’t been an easy one for the young artiste, who noted that he comes from a non-musical family and had to forge his own path , even using money meant for extra Maths lessons to fund his first recordings.
“I had no blueprint. No one in my family is a musician. I remember my mother gave me money for extra Maths lessons, but I used it to record a song instead. I’d tell her I was going for lessons but would actually be in the studio.
Every bit of money I got went into recording. Eventually, my mum found out. When she heard my first song, she was genuinely impressed,” said Ken WahMambo.
It was his brother who later shared his music with their parents. Both his mother and father approved, much to his joy.
“After my dad heard my music, he was impressed and decided to support my dream. He even funded my next recording. It’s been a beautiful journey. I urge other parents to support their children’s passions, whether it’s music, football or dancing,” he said.
Ken WahMambo also believes that language should never be a barrier in music. He encourages fellow artistes to branch out and perform beyond their cultural or linguistic comfort zones.
“Here I am in Bulawayo performing in my native Shona for a largely Ndebele-speaking audience. I think we’re learning to appreciate local music no matter the language. That’s how it should be across Zimbabwe. I’m currently learning isiNdebele so I can sing a few tracks in it. That’s unity in diversity,” he said.
The young musician is also proud to work with family — his younger brother, Clifford, serves as his manager.
