adminMoffat Mungazi Weekender Reporter
RISING sungura musician Brian Samaita has broken new ground for Mutare artistes’ standards by taking his music across Zimbabwean borders when he staged a successful show in neighbouring Mozambique recently.
The talented guitarist led his Murondatsimba Express outfit into this foreign foray when they played during Mozambique’s Independence Day celebrations on June 25 in Chimoio, during which occasion he shared the stage with that country’s top musicians as well as others from the region.
Speaking to The Weekender this week, Samaita said he felt greatly honoured to have been invited to play at such a momentous event marking an important chapter in that country’s history.
“While it might appear as if we are being snubbed here at our own home, it was really fulfilling to be part of that gathering where we showcased our Zimbabwean talent. While we cherish playing before our fans here at home, going regional and playing in neighbouring countries is just a fraction of the international leap we are looking forward to eventually taking.
“This is just the first of the right steps in that direction. On the whole, this shows that our Zimbabwean music is being appreciated elsewhere and as a band, we are proud to be part of this movement taking local music beyond our borders.
“On one hand, this was a sign of confidence in our music, and on the other, we also took the opportunity to share our local culture with Mozambicans using our music as a vehicle. Murondatsimba Express also utilised the platform to share musical ideas and exchange experiences with other artistes of different musical orientation and we emerged out of it a musically richer outfit,” said the fiery guitarist.
The musician-cum-businessman added that spurred by the recent Mozambican experience, his band hopes to build a huge fan base there.
And the Reporter singer’s ambition does not seem far-fetched as he has already made significant inroads in that regard.
Murondatsimba Express’s music is already enjoying generous airplay on many Mozambican radio stations and Samaita was featured as a guest artiste and presenter on an hour-long musical programme at the beginning of this year.
Samaita, who is currently riding high with his latest chart-topping album Murodzi Wepfungwa, expressed optimism that their Mozambican excursion had fertilised the ground for them to cultivate a national tour across Zimbabwe and strengthen synergies with other local musicians.
Although the Tichauyako hit-maker wants more Mutare musicians to be visible on the national musical map, he is grateful for the relentless work being done by prominent Mutare promoter and businessman Isau Mupfumi, whom he saluted for his patronage by giving them a chance to share the stage with established artistes during big gigs at the flourishing Pick and Save joint.
He also spoke glowingly of the good relations he shares with Hosiah “Kwachu-Kwachu” Chipanga, Somandla “Mafia” Ndebele, whom he featured on his debut album and Jacob Moyana of the Munotidako fame, whom he donated a new guitar to recently.
“We can go far as musicians if we forge networks as both established and upcoming artistes for a common goal and united purpose of making music grow. Mr Mupfumi has been very forthcoming in ensuring that we achieve this end by bringing us together and we are really grateful for his tireless efforts,” said Samaita.
With two albums to their name, Nemiwo Munazvo (2012) and Murodzi Wepfungwa (2014), Murondatsimba Express have not looked back since bouncing onto the musical scene in the shadow of the late Tongai “Dhewa” Moyo, whom they once closely worked with and done a song, Nguva, in his tribute.
The band’s song, Main Actor, has been the toast of the National FM Top 20 musical chart show, where it has held fort since February, and has been hovering in the top 10 recently.
Online Reporter