Feli Nandi’s triumph over tragedy

Prince Mushawevato

FROM an early age, Feli Nandi knew that she wanted to be a music superstar.

Growing up, she honed her skills by singing in the vibrant harmonies of her local church choir, dreaming of the day her voice would fill venues and captivate audiences worldwide.

“I started singing long back; my mother used to say when I was three years old. But I only remember singing when I was at Sunday school. I was serious then because my mother was there; she was my biggest fan. When there was a function home, they would call me to sing for guests,” she told The Sunday Mail Society.

However, fate had a different plan in store for her when tragedy struck and she lost her beloved mother.

This devastating loss left the singer disillusioned, causing her to abandon her passion for singing for over a decade as she navigated through the complexities of grief and life.

“All the fun I had, singing in church or at family functions came to a stop when my mother passed away in 2007 due to a road traffic accident. I was 15 years old then.

“Her death took a toll on the family and mostly me. I found it hard to believe or accept that she was gone. I mourned her for a very long time. I stopped singing totally. Rather, I totally forgot that I had a voice,” she said.

She no longer found a motive to achieve big.

Life not only became meaningless for her but also unbearable.

“My mom was a single parent as my dad died when I was still young. I had a very special relationship with her since she was both my father and mother. “I saw her struggle to make ends meet; to make my life comfortable such that it became my mission to work hard and succeed in life so that I would one day make her proud.

“I always told myself that when I grow up, I want to buy her a nice house and a car. She was the reason I went to school and practiced singing because I wanted to become a superstar for her. So, when she died, I lost all the drive,” revealed Feli.

During this time, she found solace in an early marriage, hoping to fill the void left by the matriarch.

It did not work.

By the time she turned 25, she had tried her hand at all sorts of things but never found satisfaction. At one point, she even worked as a receptionist.

Gradually, depression was having the better of her as she had a “suppressed” craving, which, like a volcano, wanted to erupt.

“After some time, I started feeling that I needed to do something. I knew what it was but I was depressed. The people around me knew that there was something wrong. I was married but no one knew that I had a background in singing.”

Years passed, a decade to be precise, and her dream of musical stardom remained dormant until fate intervened once more.  It was during a chance encounter with musician Mbeu that Feli’s passion for music was instantly reignited.

“I used to spend much of my time behind closed doors.

“Depression kept on troubling me until one day, when my sister-in-law forced me to attend a wedding.

“When we were about to leave the venue, she (sister-in-law) begged to hold on a bit as she wanted to see one last act. I grudgingly agreed to stay longer.

“That was to be the first time that I saw Mbeu on stage. I had never seen him or heard about his music before,” revealed the musician.

Seeing a young boy confidently holding his guitar, singing, immediately reignited the feeling that she had long lost.

“The feeling had been suffocated by unfortunate events in my life. But on this occasion, it instantly came back. I developed palpitations as I saw him perform and I immediately knew that was my sign and I needed to sing.”

Joining Mbeu’s Mhodzi Tribe as the only female band member was not a stroll in the park for her.

But through unyielding determination, Feli — born Felistas Winnie Chipendo — eventually got her much-needed breakthrough.

“I talked to Mbeu at the wedding and he gave me his then-manager’s contacts. I was told the manager was a no-nonsense guy called Eugene (Museredza). I walked straight up to him, introduced myself and he gave me his card to call him at a later date,” she said.

“I spent the next two or so months hunting for them and they were not available.

“Eugene is now a good friend of mine and when I ask him why they were avoiding me, he always tells me that they thought I was a psycho stalking Mbeu. Probably it was because I approached them with a baby strapped on my back.”

After bothering the manager for a while, Feli was granted an audition at Pakare Paye in 2017.

The then aspiring singer went prepared after spending close to three months rehearsing Mbeu’s songs.

Feli clicked with the group.

She joined the Mhodzi Tribe and within only three years, not only did she recover from her past struggles but she also flourished, finding her place in the music industry.

“When they wanted to lecture me about their music, I just told them to stop and play. Eugene and Mbeu were shocked. They invited me to their next show and I was given a chance on stage.

“The way our voices blended was just something else. That was my first time performing on stage and being in front of a crowd but everything worked out well,” recounted Feli.

The spirit of achieving greatness once again visited her.

Rather, there were certain things she felt were being done wrongly, which forced her to record solo projects.

This, in a way, did not sit well with Mbeu, who responded by showing her the exit in 2020.

As her journey with the Mhodzi Tribe ended, she made the courageous decision to embark on a new chapter and formed her own band, determined to carve out her unique musical identity.

Since then, Feli has exploded onto the music scene, captivating audiences with her soulful voice, powerful lyrics and electrifying performances.

“We all knew it was about time to separate but things could have been handled better. I did not take it well when I was dismissed from the band. But we still remain in good books. I later realised it was for the best.

“As I worked with Mbeu, I began to realise that we had different dreams and visions. It became hard to work together as I was gradually becoming my own artiste. I started recording my own songs,” said Feli.

Hers has been a remarkable journey from grief and disillusionment to becoming a true music superstar-cum-fashion designer.

Highs, lows and everything in between have shaped the singer’s extraordinary musical odyssey.

She started with a five-member band but the ensemble has since blossomed to 12.

To date, the “Mubayei” singer has released 15 singles and one album titled “Izwi”.

“I have worked with Jah Prayzah, Comic Pastor, Trevor Dongo and Freeman, among others. However, I long for a collaboration with Minister Mahendere. I love and follow his music. I also wish to work with Gemma Griffiths, Ammara Brown or Tamy Moyo since I have never collaborated with a female singer.”

Away from music, Feli is a rising fashion designer.

Her touch and love for art appears broad as evidenced by the high-quality African-themed clothing she is producing under Vasikana Vemarokwe.

The designs are for both formal and informal occasions.

Feli currently has two showrooms in Harare.

“From the beginning, I used to create my own outfits for the stage and fans would come asking about them and requesting that I make some for them.

“The numbers kept growing and I realised it was an opportunity I could turn into a business venture. That is how Vasikana Vemarokwe was born,” she explained.

However, she said managing the creative side of fashion and music was energy-sapping.

“Most of my designs are personally drawn since I want to be ahead of the curve. When I have a new design, I just wear it on stage and get feedback. My fans are blunt; when a thing is bad, they say it as is. Sometimes I post on social media and when there are takers, I then stock in the shop.”

She has never attended a fashion class, even in high school.

“I am a street designer; it comes natural. I have never been to a fashion school or class before,” she said.

Feli intends to open more branches in Kwekwe and Masvingo before the end of the year.

On the family side, the singer has two sons aged nine and 11.

“When I have free time, I usually go home around 3pm. I like being around my kids. I also love gardening. When I am not in a good space, I do some cleaning. Even when I finish a show in the early hours of the morning and I am bored or feel ill-treated, I do not sleep when I get home. Instead, I start doing some cleaning.”

The former Queen Elizabeth School learner was born in 1992 and says she is off the market.