THE passion for music has seen Seke Teachers’ College lecturer Paul Lisenga venturing into the music industry with the release of his debut six-track album titled Vanizonda.
WINSTONE ANTONIO OWN CORRESPONDENT
The album carries tracks in Shona and Tshangani languages. Speaking to NewsDay, the Zaka-bred musician said through his vocal ability, he wanted to promote the Tshangani language.
“I started composing music in 1987 while at Hippo Valley High School in Chiredzi where I was teaching mathematics, but I was just doing it as a hobby. So I did not record an album until this year,” Lisenga said.
“While at Hippo Valley High School, I formed a school group called Sun-Splash Band which produced a drummer, Thomson Chauke, who later played for the late dendera musician Simon Chimbetu and Alick Macheso.”
Lisenga said he was happy that his music was receiving fair airplay on local radio stations, especially on National FM, where his tracks Amai and Widzo have been well received.
Like they say, behind every successful man is a woman.
The statement rings true for Lisenga, who gives all the credit to his wife Evelyn.
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The album, that was recorded at Hojobwe Records and produced by Waba Joka, is composed of songs Nifambile Kule, the title track Vanizonda, Amai, Widzo, Zvinondinetsa and Pfungwa Dzangu.
With the song Vanizonda (a Tshangani word meaning they hate me), the musician is preaching the dangers of hatred among communities.
Nifambile Kule talks of a son who had gone to the Diaspora in search of greener pastures, but returns home disappointed as the foreign land fails to offer him what he expected.
The song Amai is about a child who was abandoned by his mother, but later prospers in life and the mother now wants to associate with him.
Lisenga says he is currently performing with Chitungwiza-based Zim Select band with whom he has played at Paramount Nite Club in Chitungwiza and Las Vegas in Southerton, among other venues.
A holder of a BA General Degree from the University of Zimbabwe, Lisenga once taught at Gweru Teachers’ College and Chibi Mission before moving to Seke Teachers’ College.
