MUGADZA REMAINS HOPEFUL

Trust Khosa

SOUTH Africa-based gospel artist, Leeroy Mugadza, reckons poor marketing has been his major setback in his bid to penetrate the sub-region.

The Masvingo-bred singer believes everything will fall into place, after engaging Zimbabwean producer Lyton Ngolomi, to assist him with marketing.

He is due to release his new album titled Zvichanaka early next month.

“My challenges are quite a lot in a foreign land as most of the time I will be working long hours because I am doing my own business and it requires most of my time.

“However, I will be releasing my album titled Zvichanaka, the one where I am working with producer Mr Lyton Ngolomi and his wife Bethen Pasinawako.

“Besides this album, I have released  Jesu Aripo in 2010, NaJesu Tichafara (2015) and Chikwee in 2017,” he said.

Despite his busy schedule as a car dealer and motor mechanic, Mugadza has also been hailed for bailing fellow Zimbabwean artists across the Limpopo.

“I have managed to set up a studio and acquired music equipment that I use and also give out to other artists to use.

“I am not  a producer but I always allow most of the producers to come and use my studio even when they are recording other artists,” he said.

The 38-year-old, who grew together with Mathias Mhere, said he was willing to learn from others.

“I always try to create opportunities for myself since hard work pays in the end.

“I always try by all means to stay focused and walk away from any kind of distraction.

“I grew up with Mathias Mhere and I have seen God raising him from very close range.

“I have learnt a lot from him and his professionalism.

“I also listen and learn a lot from Zimbabwean artists — both secular and gospel,” he said.

He urged fellow artists to unite for the growth of the sector.

“I learn a lot from my mistakes and I have seen that if we don’t market shows well, sometimes the turn-up will be very disappointing.

“As artists, let’s learn from each other and have unity in building our music industry.

“Lets push our business and work so that it can help us to sustain our own music and families.”

Mugadza was born in 1984.

He attended Makonde Primary School  in Gutu before he enrolled at Mkoba 1 High.

He was raised by a single mother after he lost his father at the age of two.

His passion for music started at a tender age when he used to sing at AFM.

He praised his grandmother, Gogo Mugadza, for raising him in a Christian family.

The singer says he gets inspiration from Pastor Charles Charamba.

“I am a telecoms technician professionally and I am into the motor industry.

“I do buy cars and sell them. I have also ventured into properties and construction,” he said.