Online Reporter
Prince Mushawevato
SEASONED sungura singer Josphat Somanje’s life reflects the results of a vibrant yet often ruthless world of music.
The Marondera-based singer and frontman of the Somanje Stars has graced the industry for over three decades, his voice becoming familiar to many.
The 56-year-old’s journey began with his late brother, Daiton Somanje, with whom he co-founded the trailblazing Pengaudzoke.
Although he enjoyed tremendous success in the past, the musician seems to be struggling financially.
He still releases new albums and performs regularly across the country, but his influence has clearly waned.
Before forming Somanje Stars, he and Daiton, as Pengaudzoke, dominated the music scene with their unique “Penga-Penga” music. The group’s songs, including “Mai Linda”, “Sahwira”, “Uchasiya Imba”, “Sei Kuonda” and “Kwatakabva Kure”, made waves and remain popular.
The beginning of the end, perhaps, signalled itself after the turn of the millennium.
At their peak in 2003, during the era of their monster hit “Tsaona”, when they topped charts on all radio stations and filled venues (including upmarket ones) to capacity, the duo surprisingly split.
Reasons for separating were numerous, including counter-accusations of witchcraft and embezzlement of the group’s funds.
Until Daiton’s death, the brothers quarrelled both publicly and privately, sometimes even physically fighting.
Faheem Somanje
After the split, Josphat appeared to enjoy a successful solo career.
The visibly shy and reserved singer released several chart-topping songs, including “Tambira Pasuru”, “Takarasa Nguva”, “Sango Remichero” and “Sochisi yeMombe”.
But Josphat’s peak with the Somanje Stars came with the monster hit “Handibvume”, also known as “Haulume” or “This Time”. Other tracks on the hit-laden album include “Mukaranga (Maggie Mukaranga)”, “Kwete Kuvatenderera”, “Jorijo” and “Eniya”.
This 2009 effort was probably the singer’s last significant success; later productions were noticeably lukewarm.
His latest offering, “Hope DzaDaniel — Chapter 7”, a 2023 gospel album, had little market impact.
“Not much has changed in my music life. I am still recording and releasing new music, just as I have been doing over the years. I have actually finished working on a new album that is now ready for the market,” Josphat told The Sunday Mail Entertainment in an interview.
Some music critics feel the singer, like many others from his era, was adversely affected by the demise of major record labels like Gramma, Zimbabwe Music Company (ZMC) and Record and Tape Promotions (RTP), which used to heavily market their work.
However, others believe he simply needs to think outside the box and adopt new music marketing trends.
His choice of venues for live gigs, most of which are in remote areas, has also been cited as another drawback in his career.
“The issue was probably my failure to capitalise on online platforms to boost my visibility, which I am now addressing,” conceded Josphat.
“The new album, tentatively titled ‘Madhunduru’, has six tracks. Instead of releasing a full album at once, I will be releasing the tracks one by one on our online platforms to leverage online revenue. That is the new trend now.”
“Madhunduru” will be the first song to be released this week.
Still, others suggest he could boost his waning fortunes by uniting with his nephew Faheem, son of the late Daiton, who is now the Pengaudzoke frontman.
The two have joined forces for live shows and their combined performances have evoked nostalgic feelings of the 90s through timeless hits such as “Bata Muromo”, “Sei Kuonda”, “Murume Wangu”, “Musikana Wangu” and “Titonganisei”.
This echoes the past, when Daiton and Josphat grudgingly reunited on stage years after their split.
Daiton, before his death, was eager to reconcile with his brother.
However, Josphat was reluctant, likely due to the difficult experiences he had endured, including physical assaults.
“I do not think the issue is about uniting with Faheem,” said Josphat.
“I think he is doing well and I should not disturb his progress. He is my son and I assist him in every way possible.
‘‘We have done a song together and there is room to work together. I have no problem with him.”
When not on stage, he said, he keeps himself busy with his electronics repair business.
“I have been repairing household gadgets for a while. That is what keeps me busy when I am not doing music.”
Interestingly, Josphat and Faheem recently collaborated on the track “Ayenda Asingade” from Faheem’s five-track album “Ziya Harinyepi”.
Josphat played a significant role in the instrument arrangement. He also contributed vocals. The collaboration has received positive reviews from their followers, sparking nostalgia for the Pengaudzoke of earlier days. Faheem has proved to be a natural successor of his late father.
This was perhaps a major step and a significant consideration in Josphat’s music career, as previous efforts to get him into the studio with his late brother after their 2003 split were in vain.
“Our followers loved the track. They were taken back to the heyday of Pengaudzoke. I have been inundated with requests for us to collaborate more and release more songs,” said Faheem.
The artiste has led the 10-member Pengaudzoke since his father’s death in 2015.
His debut album was “Ndezvedzinza” (2017), followed by “Dzinoruma Hadzihukure”.
“We have to honour our fans’ wishes, if possible. It is my hope that we will be able to do more joint shows with Mdhara (Josphat) and record more tracks. I have no problems working with him,” added the youthful singer.
