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Manyowa collaborates with Mzansi singer

Life & Style
She said her collaboration with Makanta on Uthembisile was a result of a personal encounter that took place long back.

BY AGATHA CHUMA

SOUTH AFRICA-BASED Zimbabwean gospel musician Elizabeth Manyowa has described as memorable the experience of working with Mzansi singer Katlego Makanta on their duet titled Uthembisile/Promised, a reminder to God for his promises to people.

Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style Manyowa said passion and determination kept her in the game for over two decades.

She said her collaboration with Makanta on Uthembisile was a result of a personal encounter that took place long back.

“The song Uthembisile/Promised came from a personal encounter. It has been in a closet for many years. My mother fell sick and the song came as I prayed for her appealing to God that he promised healing,” she said.

“The song means promised. So through it, we are simply reminding God of his promises to us and fighting to grab all of those things before the year ends.”

She added: “I will be back in the studio for another song with this vibrant talented man (Makanta) for a track titled Ungakhali that means don’t cry.”

Manyowa said being born and bred in a Christian family played a part in her musical career.

“I was raised in Christian family and have been fastened to Christianity. It started off as a nuisance and burden until it grew in me and I gave my life to Christ. Ever since, gospel music has been my lifestyle,” she said.

“I worked as a secretary for an embassy in Zimbabwe for 25 years and other companies, but had to quit to pursue my musical calling because my life has evolved around Christ and gospel music.”

Manyowa urged aspiring gospel artistes to keep pushing while staying focused.

“I usually speak to female gospel artistes saying never allow to be defined by gender. You too can do what men can. Back then when I started music, it was something associated with promiscuity and it was a male-dominated industry, but I refused gender to define me and here I am today,” she said.

“To my male counterparts, I urge you to be focused. I remember watching the late Oliver Mtukudzi on TV playing a guitar made from a 5-litre cooking oil tin, but he remained focused and died a darling for many.”

Manyowa has four albums under her sleeve namely Tsvakai Jehovah (1998), Tsvakai Rugare (2007), Ndauya (2009) and Mazuva Okuipa (2018) and a number of singles.

  • Follow Agatha on Twitter @AgathaChuma

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