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Scholar’s Scroll Writer
HE cut his musical teeth at 10-months old by turning plates into musical drums while other kitchen utensils like forks and spoons were his drumsticks.
This is according to 11-year-old Othniel Vutabwashe’s mother, Pastor Chipo Vutabwashe popularly known as Pastor C.
Being the first child to a couple that had to wait half-a-decade to be called parents, the round the clock attention he got nurtured his musical desires from a tender age. At 18 months, he got his first set of musical drums.
Now, at just 11 years old, he has already achieved what budding and some established musicians can only dream of – playing alongside renowned South African Gospel Choir, Joyous Celebration, and acclaimed local musical group, Zimpraise.
Meet Othniel, the son of Heartfelt International Ministries (HIM) Founders Apostle Tavonga and Pastor Chipo Vutabwashe.
Othniel is a multi-instrumentalist, he plays keyboard, bass guitar, lead guitar and of course, his first love – drums. Despite being a Grade 7 pupil at Heritage Primary School, the 11-year-old drummer plays for HIM Choir as well as HIM Jubilee Choir (children’s ministry).
His passion and talent in music has seen him being awarded a scholarship that will cover his tuitions from Grade 7 until Upper 6.
“My parents are my first role models because they give me wisdom and guidance. Musically, I am inspired by American drummer Calvin Rodgers. I also love South African drummer Thato Rapapane, who plays for Joyous Celebration Choir,” said Othniel.
He said his passion for music drives him to learn new skills from YouTube tutorials even though he attends musical teachings at his school, and learn other tips at church. Othniel said he also adds value to other instrumentalists and also learns more from others. In 2015, Othniel had his first performance for a huge crowd at IOC and since then he has been serving the Lord through music ministering.
“I am grateful to the Lord because he gave me the talent, and playing in church makes me happy because I will be serving God. Sometimes I compose my own instrumentals spontaneously. In music we call it a jack,” said Othniel.
While many may wonder how he manages both music and school, Othniel told Scholar’s Scroll that the two do not clash because music is also a practical subject at his school.
He joined the music classes when he was in Grade 3. He also takes his academic studies seriously and sees himself as a great musician, pastor and entrepreneur in future.
“My advice to other young people my age who may want to play musical instruments like me is that they should stay true to their dreams and believe that they can make it. For those who want to be like me, I actually want them to be better than me, because I am just setting an example to show that it is possible,” said Othniel.
His mother said her son developed a passion for playing keyboard and guitar when he was only eight years old.
“When he was eight, he started developing a passion for the keyboard, bass guitar and lead guitar. He plays these very well.”
His father Apostle Vutabwashe also added that Othniel is always committed in everything he does and that he hates failure.
“His passion for drums has been so consistent that even when we travel as a family you see him with drumsticks and even going to sleep with them next to him. At school he always scores high, he hates to fail,” he said, adding, “At three years old I took him to Zimbabwe School of Music when they launched their junior development programme where I would sit and watch him being trained and also play. In 2015 he was invited by my spiritual father Pastor Robert Kayanja to play in church in Uganda and he did a remarkable act.
“We see a world shaker in him, we see a great leader in him, he is a unique personality and selfless, God blessed him with wisdom and he developed sensitivity with the Holy Spirit early.”
He said his son had also surprisingly developed an interest in sound mixing using different software.
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