The Sunday Mail
Dennis Chimanzi
AFTER failing to win the 2013 Chibuku Road to Fame title, sungura musician Mark Ngwazi also tried –and failed –to join Romeo Gasa’s band as a guitarist.
Despite the setbacks, Ngwazi soldiered on and has risen to become one of the most talked about sungura musicians.
The Njanja Express frontman recently launched a new album titled “Nharo ne Zvinenharo.”
Based on the fans’ response to the project, it is clear the singer is destined for greater heights.
The album launch was well attended.
Some of the “Taurai Madzoka” hit maker’s admirers, among them Blessing Gomo, travelled all the way from South Africa for the launch.
Gomo splashed 13 000 rands in cash for the new album.
He also pledged to take the group Njanja Express on a tour of Mzansi.
Not to be outdone, Spencer Chuma, another die-hard fan, bought the album for a whooping US$500.
Harare-based businessman and arts enthusiast Munyaradzi “Goldfinger” Makombora bought the new offering for US$350 in cash and also pledged to finance the production of two videos from the new album.
Faith Mashami, a Harare business woman who also manages Ashton “Mbeu” Nyahora, bought the new album for a cool US$300.
The Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Tino Machakaire was also among the people who bought Ngwazi’s new offering.
Another businessman, Joseph Murimwa, of One Thousand Construction, gave Ngwazi a 450-square metre residential stand.
A Norton businessman, Munya Morris, offered the musician his car.
“I cannot describe the feeling. I never thought that the album launch will be this successful,” said an overwhelmed Ngwazi.
The sungura singer added that the latest production is promising to be a better seller than “Chamugwegwedu”.
The musician’s camp could, however, not disclose how much they made from the launch or the actual number of CDs sold thus far.
“As of now, we are still selling the album. We will come back to you after a month or two. But all I can say is that, at the moment, in terms of sales, we are doing fine,” Ngwazi’s manager, Phineas Matanda said.
The sungura singer now has six albums under his belt with his debut album “Zvandigumbura” having been released in 2015.
But he started making waves after he released his third album “Charger Yekatsono” (2018).
But his meaningful breakthrough came last year after he dropped his fifth studio effort “Chamugwegwedu Chamatindike”, which carried the hit song “Taurai Madzoka”.
The song performed beyond expectations despite being released during the ravaging Covid-19 peak.
Without live shows, Ngwazi’s management effectively capitalised social media platforms to market the project.
“Taurai Madzoka” has since garnered more than 1,5 million views on YouTube.
Similarly, the band’s fan base continues to swell with each passing day.
He currently has about 52 000 followers and more than 20 active fan groups on various social media platforms.
For all this support, Ngwazi is naturally grateful to his fans and backers.
“I want to thank our fans for supporting, not only me but the sungura music genre. Without their support, we will not go far,” the Budiriro-based musician said.
He also dismissed allegations that players in the sungura genre are divided.
“We are not fighting each other. In fact, we are one and are dedicated to work with each other. In my case, I learnt a lot and got inspired by the veterans in the industry such as Alick Macheso, Nicholas Zakaria, Simon Mutambi and Romeo Gasa,” he said.
