Online Reporter
Mkhululi Ncube, [email protected]
WHILE most of his days are spent leading hotel kitchen operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zimbabwean musician Njabulo “Igweee” Nyoni continues to nurture his passion for music, proving that distance and demanding work schedules cannot silence his artistic calling.
The Tsholotsho-born artiste, who fronts the Rising African Stars band, is enjoying positive reception for his latest album Bazovuma, which is receiving notable airplay on local radio stations.
The six-track project features songs such as Bangikhomba Ngeminwe, Libo Khuzeka, Thuma Mina, Masiku Bakale, Kuyahlola and Umkhonyovu.
The 48-year-old father of five traces his roots to Tshino village under Chief Mathuphula in Tsholotsho.
“I was born in Tsholotsho koTshino under Chief Mathuphula. I did my primary education at Tshino Primary School and later attended Shashane Adventist Secondary School in Kezi. Before becoming a professional chef in 2003 in Victoria Falls, I did several different jobs,” he said.
His journey later took him beyond Zimbabwe’s borders. In 2009, he moved to South Africa before relocating to Lubumbashi in the DRC a year later. He has also worked in Congo Brazzaville and Tanzania within the hospitality industry before returning to Lubumbashi, where he is currently based.
Despite building a successful culinary career, music has remained close to his heart.
“I wrote my first song in 1994 while still at school, but I only recorded my first album in 2016 titled Umuntu Yingozi. After that came Ngeke Ngivume in 2017, Izitha Zami in 2018 and Izehlakalo Zempilo in 2022,” he said.
Because he is based outside Zimbabwe, Igweee records most of his music during leave visits back home. His latest album was produced at TK Studios, while his earlier projects were recorded in Harare.
Igweee describes his sound as Deep African Sounds (DAS), a style heavily influenced by rhumba rhythms and rooted in storytelling and social commentary.
“All my compositions reflect everyday life and the realities people face. Music is my way of communicating with society,” he said.
Living in the DRC, one of Africa’s richest musical landscapes, has also shaped his artistic perspective.
“I’ve learnt a lot about music in the DRC. People there live and breathe music. Most of the Congolese songs we grew up listening to, I now understand their meanings. A lot of their music is centred on expressing love and emotion,” he said.
Beyond music, Igweee says his life story is proof that one’s background should never limit ambition.
“My belief is that I can conquer the world regardless of where I come from. I moved to the DRC because I saw opportunities where others only saw war. Today, I work as an executive chef at a four-star international hotel chain, overseeing a 120-room establishment. It has been a valuable experience and culturally there are many similarities between Zimbabweans and Congolese people,” he said.
He also shared the story behind his unique stage name.
“The name Igweee came from Nigerian movies and my fascination with Congolese fashion culture known as Sapology. I created my own dressing style and whenever I came back home to Zimbabwe, people would jokingly bow and say ‘Igweeeeee’. That’s how the name was born,” he said with a laugh. – @themkhust
