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His booming voice was a force to reckon during his heydays.
Who can forget lyrics such as “Inonzi bhonasi-ii. Wapenga nayo bhonasi . . . Jonasi atambira bhonasi yake. Helele, helele, uJonasi uyafadza,”?
The song is still a sing-along every year end, 28 years after it was composed.
He virtually made the radio airwaves his own during the mid-1980s.
Such was the talent Mkwamba possessed.
However, for a celebrated music icon like Mkwamba, nothing has been said about his love life.
In a bid to get an insight into Mkwamba’s love life Saturday Lifestyle paid the old man a visit at his workplace in Rusape.
Though he enjoyed much success during his musical career, sadly that cannot be said about his love life.
He divorced his wife in the 1990s before she died in 2004.
In a startling revelation to this reporter, Mkwamba said from the time he parted ways with his wife, he has never remarried but relies on the ladies of the night for his gratification.
The self-proclaimed “Chirambakusakara”, said even at the age of 66 he still pays for sex.
“Murume haaperi, ndinokecha mumabhawa. Handidi kunyepa muviri wemunhu unodawo kumbodziyirwa ndinongoendawo mumabhawa emuno (Rusape) ndichitsvagawo twechidiki,” (A man never gets old, because I need company now and then, I patronise the beerhalls and get myself a woman, as when the need arises),” said Mkwamba.
The eloquent talker said his one-room lodging in Vhengere was the place where all the “action” takes place.
“Rusape is not my home. I have a house in Chitungwiza and I collect my rentals every month and after that I come here to relax and enjoy myself,” he said.
The musician said his “bhonasi” that he collects monthly from the lodgers is enough for his upkeep since his children are all in South Africa where they are working.
The eldest is 38 years old.
“I have three kids and they are all in South Africa. So once I get my money, I use it all for myself and on the women I relax with,” he said.
Mkwamba, who is also employed as a motor mechanic in Rusape, said although he last released a song more than two decades ago, he was not yet a spent force, adding that his fans should brace themselves for yet another smashing hit anytime soon.
“I am currently working on my six-track album that will be released soon. I have a song called ‘Call Me Back’ that is going to be a hit very soon,” he said.
Mukwamba’s music career started after secondary school in Mbare in 1968. He did the beerhall circuits in Mbare, notably at Rambanayi and Pfumojena.
In Mutare he made his mark with the New Pop Settlers, holding shows in Sakubva and at mission schools in surrounding areas. He also worked with the Tanganda Tycoons and Farai Sisters, and at one time performed with the late Safirio Madzikatire.
In Chitungwiza, he played at Chikomo Tavern with the Hallelujah Chicken Run and recorded several hit songs among them “Usaore Moyo,” and “Ndiani Angandiudzawo”.
He later teamed up with the Four Brothers and his fortunes skyrocketed with the release of a string of hit songs among them “Usanyare Kusekwa”, “Bhonasi” and “Nhamo Yekufambira Chikwereti”.
He eventually parted ways with Four Brothers. Since he could no longer eke a living from music, he went into retail, selling wooden artifacts that he ordered from Mozambique.
He later abandoned the business and looked for a job as a mechanic, a job he currently holds.
Born in Mabvuku on November 11 1947, Mukwamba envisages great times ahead, should he get back into music.
Online Reporter