Online Reporter
Trust Khosa-Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
PASTOR Charles Charamba and his wife Olivia are currently in the spotlight as they celebrate 30 years in the music industry together. Their journey as a leading couple in gospel music has been remarkable, marked by their collaboration in creating beautiful melodies. To commemorate this milestone, they plan to release 30 songs in 2025. Two of their three albums, “Tinofara Nevanofara” and “Tinochema Nevanochema”, are already available. In an interview with Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub’s TRUST KHOSA (TK), the couple discussed how they complement each other and the effort they invest in crafting spiritually uplifting songs that resonate with many. OLIVIA CHARAMBA (OC) was the first to share her reflections, followed by CHARLES CHARAMBA (CC). Below are excerpts from the interview.
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TK: Can you briefly take us through your 30 years of recording gospel music with your husband?
OC: I feel blessed and highly favoured.
It can only be God’s doing.
It has not been easy, but I thank God for His presence in this journey.
It is not by might nor by power; I am joyful.
The journey has been, and still is, fulfilling.
We have had our ups and downs, but the Lord has been faithful to us; He is our strength.
We have managed to record, release and create videos for many of our songs, travelling to many places nationwide and even internationally for music events.
We have been to places like the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.
We have also received an overwhelming response and acceptance from Mozambique.
TK: Where did you meet Pastor Charamba and how has been the working experience?
OC: We met at AFM St Mary’s Church in Chitungwiza.
It has been worthwhile ministering alongside my husband.
It has allowed me to be recognised as a musician in my own right.
There have been some challenges, like grasping certain songs, but I have managed to record them.
It is not easy to be compared with someone who groomed you.
My husband has been very patient, selfless and supportive of me in my music journey.
May the Lord continue to bless him in every way possible.
TK: What is Pastor Charamba’s reaction when you want to record your own songs?
OC: Honestly, I have never attempted to record my own songs.
I feel they would lower the standards that my husband has set for me.
I do, however, try by all means to have some input in the songs that he composes for me.
TK: How do you feel about your kids, especially Shalom and Eternity, following in your footsteps?
OC: Music is in their genes.
We feel and know that they are also called into this music ministry.
We did not have to convince them to get into music; they were born wired for this.
They started composing their own music when they were young.
We did, however, make them take music lessons at a very tender age.
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Pastor Charamba also reflected on journeying with his wife.
TK: Tell us, how are you feeling about this big career milestone? And how have your fans reacted to the news that you are dropping three albums and 30 songs this year?
CC: When we announced our intention to release, there were mixed reactions.
Largely, there was elation, while some doubted, probably out of pity, as they would say that 30 songs in a year is too big a task and too much of a promise.
The good thing was that we were already sitting on the music by the time we broke the news.
Regarding the returning culture of releasing music, we appreciate the elation that ensued.
We celebrate the fact that we are on the same wavelength with our old and new fans.
PASTOR Charles Charamba and his wife Olivia
We are glad to have the younger generation embrace our music, most of whom were not yet born when we started.
We are very thankful to those parents who have passed on their passion for our music to their children.
Many youngsters testify to this.
We also have high regard for others who have come to like our music through their own explorations.
TK: You can continue.
CC: The feedback is humbling and consistent with yesteryear’s.
The difference is that there is so much direct feedback due to the access created by social media.
We should admit, our fans had been starved for long.
There is no general consensus as to which tracks beat the others on both albums and it is the healthiest scenario we always seek to achieve when we release albums.
It shows that the buffet has a wide range of tastes.
TK: How do you complement each other with Mai Charamba in the music creation process?
CC: Working with Mai Charamba over the years has been fulfilling.
It has been both adventurous and routine, combined.
I learnt to focus on the major, always, and it has helped me to moderate my ego.
I cannot blame her for not doing certain chores because I know what would have consumed her time, most of which we spend together.
We have shared nearly every experience: times that brought gladness, pain, certainty or uncertainty.
We have laughed and wept together.
PASTOR Charles Charamba and his wife Olivia collage.
We have prayed and expressed hope together.
Converting her from her soul-slanted music to a broader music spectrum has been one of my major achievements with her.
She is now a super cross-breeder of music, good at English vocals and equally satisfactory with sungura and indigenously related beats.
She has also been amazing, considering that she carried pregnancies, giving birth to our five children amidst the musical activities we have undertaken over these 30 years.
She is seeing them grow and imparting some values to them.
I do most of the compositions, but she has some measured input when it comes to bringing the song to perspective.
She grabs some of my songs if she hears me sing, but most of her songs are tailor-made for her from the outset.
We have learnt to schedule events and we always remind ourselves not to mix up family, church and business issues.
TK: How do you feel about your kids following in your footsteps?
CC: It is heart-warming to watch them compose and sing for the Lord.
We can only glorify God because we note they are highly favoured among a generation that is getting overwhelmed by many ills.
It is nothing but grace.
I sometimes carry out workshops to mentor young people.
I conduct public lectures in some institutions, mostly as a guest at different schools, colleges and universities.
I also have special presentations at Rooted in Christ Church, as well as other Christian gatherings.
TK: What can you say about the appeal of gospel music in Zimbabwe at the moment?
CC: Gospel music is relatively consistent.
There is now a broader platform on which different sub-styles of gospel music are unleashed for the benefit of different demographics, which is a major advantage for our nation and the Kingdom of God.
However, I have an intuition that we have not done enough.
I perceive that there are some potential artistes out there who are not yet revealed due to limited resources and other suppressive factors.
Most victims in this bracket are those who carry musical gifts whose expression is outside the norm.
They are usually too reluctant to appear in public for fear of being mocked, yet they carry valuable gifts on behalf of the nation.
It touches me because I almost got covered in obscurity due to the maintenance of “prevailing trends” by industry and market players of my day when I was trying to record.
Tinaye Agere