Online Reporter
Entertainment Reporter
THE name Joe “Local” Nyamungoma evokes different meanings for different people, particularly in showbiz.
His newly released music project “Common Sense” has captured the attention of many music lovers.
The three-track mini-album features the standout song “Mr Plan”, which is making waves on national radio.
Beyond radio, it has become a staple among cross-border bus crews, who now include it as a regular feature on their playlists.
What makes “Mr Plan” particularly intriguing is not only its captivating beat — delivered through varying yet carefully calculated tempos — but also its thought-provoking and satirical message.
In the song, Nyamungoma raises a profound question on why the world’s brightest minds — engineers, medical doctors, artistes and others — fail to find a way to communicate back to the land of the living after departing this world?
He humorously questions whether the afterlife is simply “so comfortable” that they forget the loved ones they left behind.
“This has truly come as a surprise to me. I have always loved music, but I never imagined myself producing a song that would resonate with so many people, especially those who do not even know me,” said Joe Local in an interview with The Sunday Mail Entertainment from his South African base.
Reflecting on “Mr Plan”, he added: “I remember Mr Man (Prince Tendai) used to joke, ‘If I die, I will make a plan to communicate back.’ But up to now, he has not done so. I believed in him so much.”
Nyamungoma was a close confidante of the late Prince Tendai, holding various roles in the singer’s operations until his untimely death in 2011.
In January 2012, he joined Suluman Chimbetu as a publicist, a role he played for five years. This background perhaps explains why his music carries a distinctive dendera flair, infused with the sharp, barbed-wire touch popularised by Prince Tendai.
“My musical journey began in 2010 with the release of my debut album ‘Mhoroyi Mhoroyi’, which was generously supported by Ekhaya Direct. Prince Tendai, also known as Mr Man, was instrumental in driving the project forward,” Nyamungoma recalled.
The seven-track “Mhoroyi Mhoroyi” featured popular songs such as “Musarove Madzimai”, “Madriver” and “Sister Ndazvipira”.
“Growing up in a family deeply rooted in the dendera genre, with the legendary Simon Chimbetu as a close family friend, music was always an integral part of my upbringing. It was almost inevitable that I would pursue a path in music, with the Chimbetu influence playing a significant role.
“Allan Chimbetu helped me build the confidence to step into a studio, while Prince Tendai’s unwavering support was crucial in bringing the project to life,” explained Joe Local.
Although music has never been his full-time calling, he released a second seven-track album in 2019 titled “Kuseri Kwacho”.
Notable songs from the project include “Ndarova Smart”, “Yave Makomo”, “Peter Ndlovu” and “Ndafara Chose”.
The following year, he unveiled the single “Vashakabvu Dai Varipo”, a heartfelt tribute to all the departed who left behind families.
Building confidence with each release, Nyamungoma followed up in 2021 with “Ndinamatirewo”, a single that paved the way for his latest mini-album “Common Sense”.
This project features three tracks, namely “Mr Plan”, “Tapedza” and “Mambo Mutasa”.
“I feel that this latest release marks a significant improvement in my craft. Perhaps brighter days lie ahead on my musical path,” he reflected.
“Tapedza” is a lively party song that also expresses gratitude to the Creator for the gift of life.
In contrast, “Mambo Mutasa” carries a cautionary message, warning the public to be wary of fake prophets and traditional healers.
The singer makes reference to Mambo Mutasa, who presides over many such cases and often urges people to “open their eyes, use common sense and embrace technology” in navigating life’s challenges.
Recording the songs was a swift process.
“It took us about three hours to record everything under the supervision of Makumbe Productions. He is just an incredible guy!” he said.
On the subject of live performances, Nyamungoma was candid.
“As for live shows, I have no intentions of doing that. Remember, I do music for fun, not for business — it is a hobby. But maybe one day I will perform alongside my blood brother Peter Nyamungoma and our nephew Junior Focus in Nyanga for a special occasion so that the Nyangani Mountains can hear us. Nyanga is my home, and we call our music Maungura eMakomo (Nyangani Mountains).”
