Online Reporter
OBERT Mangani, affectionately known as Father Ten Years, has been a key figure in sungura musician Mark Ngwazi’s recent success.
Despite his significant contributions, he has often flown under the radar, happy to work behind the scenes.
However, his recent split from Mark Ngwazi has thrust him into the spotlight.
In an exclusive Interview, FATHER TEN YEARS (OM) sat down with REST MUTORE (RM) to share his journey, his experiences working with Mark Ngwazi, and the circumstances surrounding their split.
Read on…
RM: Obert, you might be one of the finest and popular guitarists in sungura circles at the moment, but people out there don’t really know you. Just a brief background.
OM: I’m a rural boy. Born and bred in Centenary and completed my education there, including some schooling in the Muzarabani area. I started playing a guitar at a very young age. I was in Grade 3. My uncle called Makesure, together with Tsaona Katsande, who is Paradzai Mesi’s younger brother, took me through the ropes.
RM: What about the name Father Ten Years?
OM: When I was 10-years-old, a prophet at our church prophesied that I was going make a breakthrough in the music industry. So, as I grew up those close to me used to remind me about that. I then decided to call myself Father Ten Years.
RM: Interesting, no fast forward to your first recording.
OM: Katsande is the one who gave me a chance to do my first recording on one of his projects in 2007. I was expected to play lead guitar on that album but there were disciplinary issues with other members. The producers were very strict by then and it was Bothwell Nyamhondera, he suspended all the other guys and I ended up playing all other guitars (rhythms and bass), creating melodies from scratch.
RM: I understand you worked with a number of musicians. Walk us through your journey.
OM: I moved to Harare in 2011 and I started working with Obvious Mutani. He gave me accommodation and we worked together without any problems. Mutani gave me a platform because he allowed me in record with any musician and during that period I worked with the likes of Joseph Garakara and Albert Gatsi. Mutani then decided to pursue another path and during that period I was already in touch with Mark Ngwazi around 2015 as someone who was venturing into music. I used to meet him in Mbare and I ended up being part of his band for live shows since his bassman was not reliable.
RM: How was your stint with Mark Ngwazi?
OM: It started very well, I was only joining him on live shows until 2020 when he asked me to be part of his album “Chamugwegwedu Chamatindike. I played different guitars, two or more on a number of songs. Notably I played bass on the hit song “Taurai Madzoka”, probably Mark Ngwari breakthrough song, the one that goes like “don’t blame people for disappointing you”. Ngwazi then decided that I should join the hard on a full-time basis, which I agreed to I was also played a significant part of the next album, playing bass and lead on the hit song Nyaradzo yaBaba and other songs. We went on to record this current album Huzukwende and played all guitars, that is lead, rhythm, sub-rhythm and bass on the hit song Dzimwe Hondo. I also significantly contributed on other songs on that album
RM: It seems you were a key figure in Mark Ngwazi’s transformation. Then why did you leave the band?
OM: I was also caught by surprise, it’s even difficult for me to explain. It was at the Tin Mac Concert in Wedza in December last year, I was just told to leave the stage as the band started sound check. I tried to find out what could have transpired but no one gave me a clear picture. I had to wait until they finished performing. I tried to engage Ngwazi again after the show and he had no time for me. I texted him making further enquiries and he promised to talk about it later. The following day, the same person who was sent to take me off the stage told me that they also don’t want to see me at the next shows, in fact he said I was no longer part of the team.
RM: And that was the end of it?
OM: No. They had no instrumnet to use, vaishandisa mamwe magitare angu. So they borrowed my guitars and I gave them despite that I was suspended. While I was waiting for official communication, I just saw stories on social media and some audios by Mark informing fans that I had been suspended. Surprisingly, Ngwazi later phoned me and asked me if I still wanted to be part of the band. I told him that only after they tell me the reason for the suspension. We couldn’t find common ground. I realised that they only wanted me when things are tough, they dismissed me during the festive season when the band was making some money only to tell me to return in January when there is no money. Panga paine kakuitisana.
RM: So are you guys in good books at the moment?
OM: I don’t have a problem with them, they just owe me my money.
RM: For what?
OM: My dues for recording. I didn’t get any cent for all the recordings. I expected to get something, Mark back then told me that he wanted to pay for some household property for me as part of my payment for the first job. He paid a deposit for some sofas and told me to go and collect but balance ndakazopinda busy with the manufacturer. Until now I don’t know if he was paid his balance asi ndakambopinda busy nekufonerwa. The other album Nyaradzo yababa I didn’t get any cent, I think the only benefit was travel ling to the UK. On the current album I told them I want US$600 and they said they can’t afford it. They said they will pay what they can, so ndiri kangoona ma US$20,US$40 achipinda muEcocash. I’m waiting to see how much they will pay.
RM: At one point you managed Mark Ngwazi.
OM: Yes, I was just told that you are now the manager in the presence of all band members without any prioe communication. That was around 2021, I then sat down with him and he told me that he had already made the decision. But my management position was ceremonial, I had no powers to control the brand. I was just more of a show organiser and whenever there was a problem, the blame was on me. Again, I engaged the boss and he told me that my job was to make him happy, not other people. He later looked for another manager and I had no problem with that. But as time went on, I had no powers to even to call for a meeting, ndanga ndakutonzi wanzi nani uzviite.
RM: But Obert, what really do you think contributed to your dismissal?
OM: I think they wanted to create space for another manager, because the same happened when I got in. So I’m sure that’s how he operates. I also think it’s the issue of money.
RM What the story with the money?
OM: I was a bit vocal. I wanted to know how we are operating since I was the manager. Most of the shows we were being told there is no money, tavharwa and when I made follow-ups I would find out that the promoter had actually paid everything. So sometimes I confronted him that I should handle money issues since I am the one who gets pressure from band members
