Zvoma the musician

fame, position and fortune.
One such humble and down-to-earth character is Austin Zvoma, the Clerk of the Parliament of Zimbabwe.
The man who pushes the papers of Parliament is also a musician. Zvoma adds his voice to the harmonious sounds of the music preferred by those who like it “mature”.
Visiting the singer at his “day job” was quite an experience. Clad in the classic power outfit of a black suit, complimentary white shirt and a red and white tie, the soft-spoken gentleman was urbane and courteous.
Zvoma discovered his singing talent early and with time has fine-tuned his voice into a formidable instrument to match the saxophone and guitars that he accompanies so well. He also plays the rhythm guitar.
“I like singing, during my primary school days I used to sing in the choir and my voice was so high, so I ended up singing soprano. But with age my voice deepened and now I am a tenor. During the days of my youth, jazz music was the in-thing and naturally I developed an affinity for it,” said Zvoma.
The man said he is like the biblical David, only with him it is the tunes that come from his more rather than an instrument.
The jazz singer was one of the members of a group popular in the 70s called Zeppelins. He founded it together with his friends such as Friday Mbirimi, who now sings with the Salvation Army Church Band, Lenmel Stikirai and one of the Neganje brothers.
A former teacher at Mazowe Secondary School in the late 1970s, Zvoma and fellow academicians recognised the need to provide entertainment for the black population especially in clubs and other joints.
The Zeppelins played at places such as Strathaven and Londoners that are still popular with today’s revellers.
At that time any occupation that was not white collar was not revered and no parent wanted their child to become a musician or an athlete. These were associated with wastrels, layabouts and worse. Only the dregs of society who had failed to hold down a “respectable” job would dabble is such pastimes.
The prevailing attitude affected Zvoma as his parents did not want to see their son “wasting” his education when he should have been concentrating on a more “serious” career. As a result Zvoma remained in the bureaucratic halls and music was relegated to a hobby and after-work indulgence. He has no regrets but urges parents to support their children in whatever career choice they may make.
In spite of his long association with the soft music like jazz, Zvoma is surprisingly an avid fan of Zimbabwe’s champion of the microphone – Winky D – among other musicians like Oliver Mtukudzi, Thomas Mapfumo, Cool Crooners, Jazz Invitation and Hilton Mambo. “Zimbabwean music is really improving. I like Winky D, and his lyrics are good. It is just that I don’t have time to go to his shows, but I will confess that when I am driving I listen to his songs.
“Internationally, I like B.B. King, B.E. King among others. I can say I have many role models as with music it is about the beat and flow that you are listening to that particular time that entertains you,” said Zvoma.
“We used to sing songs like Stand By Me and Don’t Answer The Door, songs which had an impact in our lives as we could really relate to them.
“I understand the young generation are more into hip hop and R’n’B but with jazz it is about understanding how one expresses themselves. A lot is expected on today’s shows.”
Zvoma says his office job and music are locked in two separate cabinets.
“At work there is no time for singing as my bosses expect me to deliver something that is not a song. But when the day is over, then it is time for the music,” explained Zvoma, tongue firmly in cheek. He says music is versatile and it can be whatever one wants it to be. ‘‘It’s a matter of choice, one can take it as a career or an art.”
Born on December 22 1946 in the Chegutu area in a family of 11 children, Mr Zvoma did his primary education at St Andrew’s Chipashu near Mubaira after his family migrated to Mhondoro before being transferred Nyameni Primary in Marondera and finishing off at Kudzanai Primary in Highfield.
He did his high school education at Fletcher High in Gweru before attaining a University of Rhodesia degree in English. He is also a holder of a teaching diploma. The Clerk of Parliament left teaching and worked in customs and excise before independence. In 1979 that is when he became Clerk of Papers working in the office that handles all Parliament documents before rising over the years to become Clerk of Parliament in November 1989 the same position he currently presides. ‘‘I feel a positive challenge to do better than my predecessors, a challenge to provide leadership characterised by transparency, teamwork, honesty and integrity.”
He is also a prosperous farmer. He lives with his family at a farm near Kintyre Estates where he grows commercial maize, soyabeans, horticultural crops and does some poultry and cattle farming.
Mr Zvoma is not particular about food but will tend to go traditional most of the times although he enjoys variety. He says he drinks moderately.
For the jazz lovers, who want to catch the Clerk of Parliament out to his suit and behind the mike, Zvoma will be performing tonight at Jazz 105 with other artistes.