adminProblem Masau Arts Correspondent
Gospel artiste Namatayi Chipanga has been nominated for the “Women in Enterprise” award.
The awards will be presented tomorrow at Rainbow Towers and celebrated South African businesswoman Gloria Serobe will be the guest of honour.
Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce chairperson women’s desk Divine Ndlukula said the awards seek to reward women who have excelled in their endeavours.
“The event promises to be enriching and meaningful as well as offering an opportunity to network with top businesswomen and government leaders. Remember to book a table and bring along the women in your team, any of your social or business stakeholders, and invite women from other organisations – the opportunities for growth and development are immense,” she said.
Born in Livingstone, Zambia, Namatayi is married to Charles Chipanga.
Not only is she an exceptional vocalist, but Namatayi Chipanga also quite possibly is one of the best female percussionists in Zimbabwe’s gospel industry.
The greatest period of her singing career was the long stint with superstar Oliver Mtukudzi from 2003 up to 2011.
Known for her performances on stage alongside Mtukudzi, her perfection in making music was no doubt the result of several years of hard work.
Since 2002, Namatayi has been singing with other groups among them Tanga wekwa Sando, Afrika Revenge, Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana, Mahube and Steve Dyer, to mention just a few.
Namatayi also shared the stage with the popular Lucky Dube, George Benson, Awilo Longoma, Salif Keita, Papa Wemba, Joe Thomas, Baba MaaL, Habib Koite, Hugh Masekela, Auntie Dorothy Masuka, UB 40 and Thomas Mapfumo while with Mtukudzi.
It was, however, in 2011 when together with her husband that they decided to start their project and announced their entrance with the album “Prayer”.
The following year, they established the Gospel Hub which is an initiative founded to provide a forum for Christian artistes to help develop and present original live music.
She is currently riding high with the album “Grace Moments” that was released early this year.
On the album she features a Congelese national by the name Ekanga, who is featured on two tracks “Jehovah”, a song with an African feel as well as on “Vabereka”.
The first single “Hosanna” has been receiving massive airplay. While Namatayi performed the song “Gore Rangu” on Charles’ project, on the latest it is Charles who performed the song “Tonamata”. It is easy to notice his influence through the marimba.
Besides recording, Charles and Namatayi run a chain of businesses that include a taxi company, event management firm, voice coaching, marimba and dance lessons.
Online Reporter